Mainoo and Maguire Earn England Nod – And United Contracts?

Picture this: Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire striding back into the England setup like they've never been away. Michael Carrick, the interim gaffer at Manchester United, couldn't hide his grin when chatting about their recalls by Thomas Tuchel. "Well deserved," he reckoned, right before the lads scrapped to a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

These two have been rocks since Carrick took over from the binned Ruben Amorim. Mainoo's glued to the midfield, bossing games like a 20-year-old shouldn't. Maguire? Stepping up big time with Matthijs de Ligt sidelined by that pesky back knock since November.

Contracts on the Horizon – Ornstein's Insider Scoop

Whispers turned to shouts when David Ornstein dropped the bomb: United are in advanced talks with both stars. Mainoo's eyeing a bumper deal until 2031, with wages jumping from his academy pittance – think £25k a week now to proper first-team dosh. Bloke was sniffing exits under Amorim, but Carrick's flipped the script.

Maguire, the 33-year-old warrior valued at £8.6m, gets a pragmatic one-year extension with an option for another. Smart move for INEOS suits, keeping the leader without overcommitting. Carrick played coy: "Negotiations tick on, hope it gets done right. They've been class."

Wayne Rooney, United legend, chipped in too, backing the selections. Tuchel's 35-man squad for Uruguay and Japan friendlies is the last warm-up before the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. Luke Shaw missed out – tough luck amid full-back pile-up.

Bournemouth Drama: Red Card and Ref Rage

Friday night's Vitality Stadium scrap wasn't plain sailing. United, on a flyer under Carrick (just one league loss since January), dropped points for only the third time in 10. Maguire saw red late on – fans fuming, calling it harsh. Carrick nodded: decisions elsewhere might've swung it.

"This league's a grinder," he laughed off the draw. "We've banked points from top shows lately. Home or away, it bites quick – but we handled the end tidy."

Mainoo's set for a five-year tie-down, unthinkable months back. Maguire's short-term keeps him mentoring the backline. With Tuchel eyeing them for summer glory, United fans are buzzing. Carrick's steady ship – could this be the turnaround?

Tuchel praised their form under Carrick specifically. Mainoo's resurgence? England staple again. Maguire's tournament nous, partnering John Stones back in the day? Gold dust.

As United gear up minus Maguire for Leeds, the contract buzz adds fuel. Ornstein says deals are close – fingers crossed before June expiries. Red Devils marching on, England caps gleaming.