Jordan Henderson, 35, in England Squad Again – Man United Fans Blame Ruben Amorim

Thomas Tuchel named his latest England squad on Friday and it caused quite the stir.

Real Madrid midfielder — who recently placed 23rd in the 2025 Ballon d’Or vote — was left out, as was in-form Manchester City star Phil Foden.

But there was still a place for 35-year-old Jordan Henderson, who has now been named in all four of Tuchel’s squads to date.

Thomas Tuchel’s fourth England squad

Goalkeepers: Henderson, Pickford, Trafford

Defenders: Burn, Guehi, James, Konsa, Lewis-Skelly, Quansah, Spence, Stones

Midfielders: Anderson, Gibbs-White, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek, Rice, Rogers

Forwards: Bowen, Eze, Gordon, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Watkins

Who are England playing against in October?

• England vs Wales — October 9 at 7.45pm — Friendly
• Latvia vs England — October 14 at 7.45pm — World Cup Qualifier

Many England fans not happy with Jordan Henderson’s inclusion

England announced their latest squad just before 10am on Friday morning and social media was quickly full of fans scrutinising Tuchel’s picks.

The decision to persevere with Henderson — now back in the Premier League with Brentford after spells at Al-Ittifaq and Ajax — was one that many fans took issue with.

One fan sarcastically wrote on X: “A Jordan Henderson call up that’s…………deserved?”

Many fans felt that Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton would have been a much better option in midfield. Others argued that Foden and Jack Grealish were also unlucky to miss out.

One comment read: “No Wharton but Jordan Henderson is in. Grealish having a great season but no call up? How does this make sense?”

Another added: “You have to wonder how someone whose job is to watch English footballers and pick the best ones can possibly not select Wharton and Grealish.”

Meanwhile, a Blackburn Rovers supporter said: “If I’m Adam Wharton I’m trying to find out if any of my grandparents were born in Ireland or Scotland cos he ain’t ever getting any time for England is he? Should be starting for us, not watching Henderson get minutes instead”.

An even stronger message read: “Thomas Tuchel should be arrested for picking Jordan Henderson over Adam Wharton.”

Manchester United fans blame Ruben Amorim

Among the thousands of comments about England’s latest squad were dozens from Manchester United fans, all sharing the same theory about how Tuchel picking Henderson is in part the fault of Ruben Amorim.

Amorim — who is currently the second favourite to be the next Premier League manager to be sacked, behind Nottingham Forest’s Ange Postecoglou — has yet to start Kobbie Mainoo in a top-flight game this season, despite the United midfield clearly crying out for an injection of energy.

Mainoo being on the fringes at United makes it harder for Tuchel to pick him, as he will naturally prefer players getting regular first-team football at club level.

One United fan wrote: “Amorim made sure J. Henderson gets the spot instead of Mainoo in big 2025. Criminal ngl. In years we will look back and laugh”.

Another comment read: “No Mainoo? What have you done Amorim????”

A third fan reacted by writing: “No Kobbie Mainoo! Ruben Amorim, God will punish you for what you’ve caused this boy”.

What Thomas Tuchel said after naming his latest England squad

Speaking on Friday, England boss Tuchel insisted that no player is guaranteed a place in his squad.

He said: “There are absolutely no guarantees for anyone when it comes to selection. Players not in the squad just need to keep pushing.”

He stressed that his decision to stick largely with the same group was based on how well the team had gelled last month — when England beat Andorra 2-0 and Serbia 5-0. “The last camp was only three and a half weeks ago and the team work and spirit was on the highest level,” Tuchel explained.

“That is why we decided to invite the same group to this camp. The question is also why not pick the same players? Why not, if they are not injured?”

Tuchel admitted some players were unlucky to miss out but argued it was important to keep continuity. “There are players out who deserve to be with us and they can get back in through performance. This is the best and most straightforward decision,” he added.

The German manager also addressed speculation about fallouts with certain players. “There is no problem between me and Jude Bellingham, and there is also no problem with Jack Grealish or Phil Foden,” he clarified.

On Bellingham, he added: “Jude always deserves to be in the camp, but he has not fully gathered his rhythm at Real Madrid and has only started one match, so he is not back to full strength. We had a phone call and he wanted to be called up.”