England get their Euro 2024 campaign underway against Serbia tonight with Harry Maguire among the notable absentees in Gareth Southgate’s squad.
The Manchester United star was among those left out of Southgate’s final 26-man squad – a major shock given the pivotal role the centre-half has played under the Three Lions boss in the last three major competitions.
His absence has left England short of options at the back. John Stones will start tonight having shaken off a minor injury problem with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi expected to start alongside him at the back.
Lewis Dunk is also an option – as Luke Shaw will be when he is fit. While he has starred at left-back for club and country, Shaw has impressed when slotting in at centre-half for United in recent seasons.
Why isn’t Harry Maguire playing for England at Euro 2024?
Maguire’s last appearance for United came in the 1-1 draw with Burnley at the end of April. A calf injury saw him miss United’s final five games of the season – including the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
It had been hoped the 31-year-old would recover in time to start for his country in Germany this summer but was ultimately deemed not fit enough to make the journey.
‘Trent [Alexander-Arnold] can play both [in midfield and defence], we had nine defenders in the last couple of tournaments so I think we’re the same now,’ Southgate said.
‘That was part of the reason we couldn’t take Harry Maguire. We would’ve had to take a 10th defender, and that balance wouldn’t have been right, it would’ve left us short in other areas.
‘Harry has made some progress, but it’s been complicated and we wouldn’t have had him in the group stages. There were too many hurdles to get through without being clear where we might get to.
‘Knowing we haven’t got a clean bill of health across the rest of the backline, we need players who are fit and ready to go from the start.
‘It was a really difficult call, you know how I feel about Harry, what he’s done for England and for me as a manager. It’s a slightly different case to [Grealish and Maddison], but it’s no easier.
‘The decision on Harry [Maguire] is totally about his physical condition and his recovery from the injury. There is no other reason as he is one of our strongest centre-backs.’
What has Harry Maguire said about his England omission?
‘I am devastated not to have been selected to play for England at the Euros this summer. Despite my best efforts, I have not been able to overcome an injury to my calf.
‘Maybe I pushed myself too hard, to try and make it. Simply, I am absolutely gutted. For me, representing England is the highest honour. It means everything to me. If I can’t help the team as a player, I will support them as a fan – along with the rest of the country. Go and win it boys.
‘Next, I will return to the supervision of the Manchester United medical team in order to prepare for next season.’
MORE : Christian Eriksen scores in fairytale comeback in first Euros match since cardiac arrest
MORE : Inside Gary Lineker’s love life after BBC star admitted to enjoying ‘being alone’
MORE : Fans slam Martin Keown for criticising Liverpool star in Netherlands’ Euro 2024 win over Poland
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.