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Rio Ferdinand Names His England 11 For the 2026 World Cup

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Rio Ferdinand has caused a storm of debate online after including both Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo in his predicted England starting line-up for the 2026 World Cup.

The former Manchester United defender has weighed in on who should start for the Three Lions in this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and his choices have divided opinion among fans.

Alan Shearer was the latest former England international to name his preferred starting XI last week, and his selections – including two Newcastle United players – have also raised eyebrows among England supporters.

Goalkeeper and Defenders

Marc Guehi

In goal, Ferdinand went with the ever-reliable Jordan Pickford, who has been England’s starting goalkeeper for the last four major tournaments.

Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa were Ferdinand’s picks at centre-back, with both Harry Maguire, who remains down in Thomas Tuchel’s pecking order, and John Stones missing out.

Ferdinand also backed Chelsea captain Reece James and Manchester City starlet Nico O’Reilly to occupy full-back roles, following O’Reilly’s superb two-goal display in the Carabao Cup final earlier this month.

Rio Ferdinand’s England XI for the 2026 World Cup – Goalkeeper and Defenders

Position

Player

Club

Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford

Everton

Left-back

Nico O’Reilly

Manchester City

Centre-back

Ezri Konsa

Aston Villa

Centre-back

Marc Guehi

Manchester City

Right-back

Reece James

Chelsea

​​​

Midfielders

kobbie mainoo

In midfield, Ferdinand’s choices caused the most stir online, with the former Manchester United defender naming Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo and Jude Bellingham as his preferred trio to lead England this summer. He said:

“Kobbie Mainoo, I want to dictate the game. And the reason why I’m playing him, his European Championships experience and what he’s done in that tournament leads me to believe he’ll be unfazed, he knows what it takes to play at that level.

“He’s done it before, he was one of our better players there, and he was one of the guys who was controlling things.”

Some X users were far from pleased with Ferdinand’s inclusion of Mainoo. One fan wrote:

“Mainoo ain’t even getting on the plane. His European experience was being out of his depth against Spain. United fan delusion.”

Another noted: “Rio I’m a United fan and wouldn’t have Kobbie in there atm. I’d have Maguire over Konsa, Anderson over Mainoo and Gordon over Rashford. Possibly Hall over O’Reilly as well.”

Rio Ferdinand’s England XI for the 2026 World Cup – Midfielders

Position

Player

Club

Centre-midfield

Declan Rice

Arsenal

Centre-midfield

Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United

Attacking midfield

Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid

Forwards

FC Barcelona's Marcus Rashford holds a football

Ultimately, Ferdinand backed Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford to start on the wings under Thomas Tuchel this summer, and, unsurprisingly, put England’s all-time leading goalscorer and captain Harry Kane up front.

Some England fans were far from pleased with Ferdinand’s selection on the flanks, particularly with Rashford, and pointed to his lack of defensive effort.

One fan said: “Rashford puts a lot of pressure on O’Reilly with his lack of effort getting back and Saka has been poor for two years.”

Another concluded: “O’Reilly is still very young; Rashford will not bust a gut to get back to help him out. That’s why he doesn’t get more starts for Barca – Flick knows he doesn’t work hard enough & isn’t interested in the defensive side. It’s also why Utd want to get rid of him. He plays blinkered too.”

Rio Ferdinand’s England XI for the 2026 World Cup – Forwards

Position

Player

Club

Left wing

Marcus Rashford

Barcelona

Right wing

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

Striker

Harry Kane

Bayern Munich

Thomas Tuchel at an England press conference


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Man Utd to Miss Out on Osasuna Winger Victor Munoz to Newcastle

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Manchester United look set to miss out on one of their targets with a Premier League rival now in advanced talks to secure his signature.

Unfortunately for United, they will be competing with a host of Premier League sides when it comes to new additions in the summer transfer window.

The World Cup adds a new dimension to the window, with players competing at the tournament likely to attract interest from a number of different sides due to there being so many eyes on them.

Players that perform well at the tournament often get big moves in the summer window, with scouts from clubs all around the world attending.

One player starring at the World Cup was a target for United, but it appears that he is now going to join one of their Premier League rivals.


Manchester United caretaker boss Michael Carrick claps the fans


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Man Utd to Miss Out on Target

Michael Carrick Manchester United manager (2026)

According to a report from Caught Offside, Osasuna winger Víctor Munoz is in advanced talks to join Newcastle United in the summer transfer window.

Manchester United were reportedly one of the sides interested in signing Munoz, but his priority has always been game time. Newcastle have made a strong case that he will play regularly.

Newcastle are set to pay in the region of £35m, prioritising a move to sign a winger after Anthony Gordon was sold to Barcelona.

Munoz, described as ‘elite’, didn’t appear to be a huge priority for Manchester United, but it could have been a smart deal at a reasonable price.

England World Cup Quiz

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Man Utd Focusing on Midfield Additions

West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring Premier League goal against Sunderland via Reuters

Manchester United are clearly looking to prioritise midfielders in the summer transfer window.

Reports have suggested that they are seriously pushing to bring West Ham star Mateus Fernandes to the club, while they have also agreed a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta.

United are believed to have pulled out of the race to sign Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson.

It appears that Fernandes and Ederson could be the two targets for the midfield position, but there is still a chance they look to bring in a third before the window closes.

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Man Utd Eyeing Move to Sign Morgan Rogers After Fernandes and Summerville

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Manchester United are eyeing a move for a £100m star as they consider launching a £120m double transfer raid on West Ham United to sign Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, according to the Telegraph.

Man United have wrapped up their first signing of the summer already, with Ederson set to complete a move to Old Trafford next month after the Red Devils reached a full agreement to sign the Brazilian from Atalanta in a deal worth less than £40m.

United identified the central midfield position as their biggest transfer priority as they look to complete a major rebuild in that area following Casemiro’s departure, with Manuel Ugarte likely to join him through the exit door.

One more player will arrive in the position after Ederson, and it could even be two should Ugarte complete a move away, with full focus right now on signing Fernandes.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that United are in official talks with both the player and West Ham over a switch to Old Trafford, with the Portugal international keen on the move.

The Red Devils are also considering a move for the Netherlands international Summerville, which could see them launch a £120m bid for the Hammers duo.

Man United ‘Strongly Interested’ in Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa attacker Morgan Rogers celebrates winning the Europa League final against Freiburg via Reuters

While United have interest in a potential double swoop on West Ham, they are also targeting a player from another English club in Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa.

The Red Devils had been linked with the England international earlier in the summer, but recent reports have suggested that Arsenal are the frontrunners for his signature and that the player is keen to join the Premier League champions.

However, a new report from the Telegraph says that United have ‘strong interest’ in signing Rogers as they look to strengthen their attacking options.

Michael Carrick and director of football Jason Wilcox have both worked with the 23-year-old ‘superstar’ in the past at Middlesbrough and Manchester City respectively, so the interest in him isn’t a shock.

Rogers’ £100m price tag is a big issue though, with United earmarking the majority of their summer transfer budget to bolster their midfield.

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Man United Winger Move Depends on Rashford

Marcus Rashford in action for England Marty Jean-Louis/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

The report adds that any move for a winger, or a forward who can play out wide and centrally like Rogers, will depend on the future of Marcus Rashford.

The England international is available for £40m this summer due to a release clause, after Barcelona failed to activate their buy option on the forward.

The release clause is valid for everyone except Manchester City and Liverpool, with the Red Devils only willing to entertain permanent exits for the 28-year-old following his loan switch to Barcelona.

United need to offload the £325,000-a-week player if they are to be able to bring in a new forward, with Rashford keen on another move abroad following his successful spell at the Camp Nou.

Several Premier League clubs are thought to be monitoring his situation.

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Crystal Palace Target Celtic Midfielder Arne Engels in Summer Transfer

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Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing a move to sign a Celtic star in the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri.

The Eagles will be looking to enjoy an impressive summer transfer window as they look to back new manager Pierre Sage, who joined the club earlier this month.

Sage came in to replace Oliver Glasner, and he has some big shoes to fill, considering the Austrian manager won three trophies during his time at the club.

Glasner decided to leave Selhurst Park at the end of his contract just days after they lifted the Europa Conference League title.

The former Palace boss often complained about the lack of ambition from the club in terms of recruitment, so it will be interesting to see how much they back Sage this summer.


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Crystal Palace Eyeing Celtic Man

Steve Parish

According to a report from Sky Sports journalist Tavolieri, Crystal Palace are in the race to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels in the summer transfer window.

Palace are hoping to convince Engels, described as ‘outstanding’ by former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, to join the club and beat Nottingham Forest to his signature.

Reports suggested last month that Engels is one to watch for the summer transfer window, with a departure from the club planned.

Although a Belgian international, Engels failed to make the World Cup squad for this summer.

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Palace May Need Midfield Reinforcements

Adam Wharton playing for England vs Albania

One of Crystal Palace’s priority positions in the summer transfer window could be to bring in a new midfielder for Sage.

Adam Wharton has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, with reports claiming that Liverpool are plotting a move to secure his signature this summer.

Daichi Kamada is also out of contract, although Palace have confirmed they are in talks over a new deal. If both leave, they will be desperately in need of midfield reinforcements.

Palace also need to bring in players that are going to suit Sage’s style, so it could be a busy summer transfer window for the Eagles.

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