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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Hytner

Harry Maguire’s England absence due to form rather than injury, admits Tuchel

Harry Maguire on the bench at England training.
Harry Maguire was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad but ‘took it unbelievably well’, according to the new head coach. Photograph: Eleanor Hoad/Every Second Media/Shutterstock

Harry Maguire was omitted from the England squad primarily on the grounds of form, Thomas Tuchel has said. It had been assumed the Manchester United defender was not involved for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia because of injury.

Maguire has not played since 2 March because of a calf problem and Tuchel said the fitness of the player had been a factor. But the head coach made plain that he considered Maguire to be behind Ezri Konsa and Marc Guéhi in the pecking order for right-footed centre-halves.

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