Harry Maguire has shown his class on social media by wishing England well ahead of their World Cup semi-final against Argentina. The Manchester United defender was a surprise omission from Thomas Tuchel's 26-man squad for the tournament in North America.
Maguire's World Cup snub sparks family outrage
The 33-year-old centre-back was a key player under Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick last season, excelling in a side that lost only twice in the Premier League after January. United finished third and will play Champions League football next season for the first time since 2023. However, Maguire's performances were not rewarded on the international stage, leading to public outrage from his family. His mother said she was 'absolutely disgusted' by Tuchel's decision.
Maguire's good luck message
Despite the disappointment, Maguire posted a message on his Instagram stories hours before England's semi-final. He wrote: "All the best lads," alongside an England flag and love heart emoji. The former Leicester City and Hull City player has been working as a pundit on Gary Lineker's Netflix show, The Rest is Football, during the World Cup.
Tuchel's FaceTime call
Maguire revealed on The Rest is Football that Tuchel informed him and other snubbed players of their omission via FaceTime. He said: "It was a surprise. I said straight away it was a surprise. I was really disappointed, and I thought I'd done enough to make the squad and help the lads out there. I thought I still had a part to play on the pitch and off the pitch."
He added: "I received a text around nine or ten o’clock in the morning just saying ‘can I speak to you today at 4 o’clock?' I think Kobbie [Mainoo] received the same text, Luke [Shaw] as well. He FaceTimes everybody, and it’s quite a unique way to do it."
Maguire's reaction and future
Maguire admitted he had "a few words" with Tuchel after the decision. He said: "I was shocked more than anything. We had a few words. I’m quite a big personality, I’m experienced, but I think it was an honest conversation between us both. I was really disappointed. I wanted to go to the World Cup and play."
At 33, Maguire acknowledged that the next World Cup in 2030 seems far away. He said: "I’m 33 now, 37 at the next World Cup looks far away. I wanted to go, not just play, but I told the manager I wasn’t demanding that I start the games. I would have been happy playing one minute as long as I was there with the lads."
