Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has announced he will not be included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming international tournament, preempting the official squad announcement scheduled for Friday. The centre-back revealed his disappointment via a social media post, stating he was “shocked and deeply disappointed” by the decision.
Maguire, who has earned 66 caps for the Three Lions, had believed he could play a significant role this summer, citing his recent form for Manchester United. He expressed his pride in representing his country and wished his teammates the best for the tournament. The announcement comes despite a perceived upturn in form under manager Michael Carrick, contributing to United securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Southgate had previously indicated a preference for other central defenders, publicly stating in March that players like Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, and Trevoh Chalobah were ahead of Maguire in the selection order. He specifically highlighted Konsa and Guéhi, and also noted Chalobah’s superior mobility compared to the United player, alongside the established presence of John Stones. This public assessment foreshadowed the eventual exclusion.
Maguire endured a period of being out of favour under previous manager Rúben Amorim, but regained his place in the starting eleven under Carrick. The 31-year-old will now have the opportunity to rest and prepare for the upcoming season with Manchester United. The early announcement from Maguire adds an unusual dynamic to the squad selection process, though it is unlikely to significantly alter Southgate’s plans.
