Harry Maguire 'very unlucky' to miss out on England squad
BBC • • sports
Key Points:
- Wayne Rooney expressed surprise and sympathy over Harry Maguire's exclusion from Thomas Tuchel's England World Cup squad, calling the defender "very unlucky" given his form and experience.
- Maguire, a 33-year-old Manchester United defender with 66 England caps, missed Euro 2024 due to injury but was recalled for March internationals, raising hopes of World Cup inclusion before being left out.
- Rooney suggested Tuchel might have chosen Dan Burn over Maguire to avoid disrespecting a player unlikely to start, but emphasized his trust in Tuchel's managerial decisions.
- On the midfield selection, Rooney supports Tuchel’s preference for Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham over Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Morgan Gibbs-White, acknowledging the potential media and public scrutiny if Rogers is picked ahead of Bellingham.
- Rooney highlighted Bellingham’s maverick nature as both a challenge and an asset, noting that such players bring crucial moments to major tournaments despite occasional controversies.