England boss Gareth Southgate has admitted Harry Maguire’s situation at Manchester United is less than ideal - despite him remaining in his Three Lions squad.
On Thursday, Southgate named a squad for the Nations League clashes with Italy and Germany, their final games before the World Cup gets underway in November. Maguire and United teammate Luke Shaw made the cut, despite both falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Regulars for England in recent years, the two played key roles as England came agonisingly close to winning the European Championship last summer. However, both have since suffered a loss in form, and subsequently, their place in the United starting XI.
Erik ten Hag opted to bring in extra competition for both players during his first summer in charge, with Lisandro Martinez coming in for Maguire and Tyrell Malacia for Shaw. But both look sure to be named in England’s World Cup squad, regardless of their precarious club situation.
Due to the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Southgate and the FA opted to not schedule a press conference and instead explained selection decisions via a pre-written statement. “We recognise the country is still in a period of mourning and my thoughts remain with the Royal Family,” Southgate’s statement began.
“While it is important to explain some of our decisions around selection, we didn’t feel it appropriate to hold a full press conference, when it might divert attention from where people’s minds should be at this time.”
Along with Maguire and Shaw - Kalvin Phillips and Ben Chilwell are also struggling for regular Premier League minutes. But the quartet have all been included, with the belief they can remain important players moving forward.
Southgate added: “Clearly, we have a number of players including Ben Chilwell, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips who are not playing a lot of minutes with their club.
“It is not ideal, but we feel they have been, and can be, important players for us. It is not a perfect situation but there is still a lot of football to be played before Qatar.
Notable omissions included United forwards Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. Both are enjoying some more consistent form under Ten Hag, but missed out this time around, with Rashford struggling with injury.
And Southgate has revealed that while those not in the squad now face a battle to earn a seat on the plane to Qatar, the door isn’t completely closed. “There were certain players we wanted to keep involved this time, but that said it doesn’t mean that this is the end for some of the others who aren’t involved,” he explained.
“Marcus Rashford, for example, has shown some encouraging signs recently. He is a player we know well so if he can perform at a high level in the next few weeks, he of course will be under consideration.”
In Rashford’s absence, Brentford striker Ivan Toney has earned his maiden call-up, recognition for a stunning start to the season.
Southgate said: “With Ivan Toney, we have been tracking him for a long time. I had a good chat with Thomas Frank about him last season. His form and his qualities - not only his goalscoring but his technical ability, build-up play and aerial prowess - gives us a different threat to some of the other players we could pick.”
England face Italy in Milan next Friday, before returning to Wembley to face Germany three days later. It will then be all eyes on the World Cup, with their clash against Iran on November 21, kicking off their quest for glory.
