Maguire’s England snub shows baffling new side to United star
Maguire’s England snub shows baffling new side to United star What is the worst thing ever? It depends on your point of view – for dinosaurs, it was probably a giant asteroid. For Harry Maguire , it seems to be the decision taken by Thomas Tuchel not to include him in the England squad for the World Cup.
The 33-year-old has been one of Manchester United’s standout performers this season, and it seemed a fair bet that he would be on the plane to North America next month. But the German, as is his FA-given right, looked elsewhere, instead opting for the likes of Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah and Dan Burn at centre-back. Right to be disappointed Maguire is totally right to feel disappointed at his omission; he could hardly have done any more this season, first for Ruben Amorim then for Michael Carrick , to earn the most prestigious of England call-ups.
Last year it was goals and guts, this year it’s been leadership and accountability – however you feel about him, the former Leicester City man has played his best football in a United shirt these past twelve months or so. It’s unsurprising, then, that the decision taken by the pragmatist tasked with winning the World Cup for England has been a slap in the face for the big Yorkshireman, just as it would have been for the likes of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer. Poor reaction What is surprising, however, is the response from the Maguire camp.
The former United captain was rightly praised for his humility at the club in recent seasons, bouncing back from the top of the transfer list to become arguably the best defender at Old Trafford, standing strong where others around him wilted. That all spoke to a player of integrity and professionalism, which made his little social media whinge yesterday all the more unexpected. Circus “I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision,” he posted on X before, it must be noted, the squad was even formally announced .
Not just shocked, not just gutted, but shocked and gutted – Harry hasn’t taken it well. These are inside thoughts spoken out loud on a public platform, the pomposity of being “left” shocked a clear indication of how furrowed his brow was when mashing his phone with his thumbs. Again, he can be desperately, dismally disappointed – but his decision to act slighted on social media is distinctly unbecoming, and at odds with the calm and collected persona he gives off at United.