Roy Keane has stated that Harry Maguire being left out of England’s World Cup squad is firmly on him. The Manchester United star was one of many that controversially did not make the cut but Keane insists he only has himself to blame.
Speaking ahead of the Three Lions friendly against New Zealand, he said: “Every time we do an England game, we speak a lot about players who have been left out or in terms of the squad are left out of the starting XI.
“But I think if you can’t get into a squad of 26, that’s on you. That is on the player, you’ve not done enough to convince that manager and there will always be uproar with England for players that are left out if they play for certain clubs but that’s on you, if you can’t make a squad of 26, that’s on you, don’t blame anyone else.”
Maguire would have almost certainly been included in Tuchel’s 55-man provisional squad but Dan Burn and Jarell Quansah were the two defenders picked ahead of him.
The likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton, Lewis Hall and Morgan Gibbs-White were just a few others surprisingly omitted.
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England start their World Cup campaign in nine days against Croatia. Ghana and Panama are their other opponents in the group-stages with a friendly against Costa Rice their last game before their tournament gets underway.
Maguire would have been hoping to feature prominently but he is instead expected to feature as a guest on The Rest is Football podcast after they signed an agreement with Netflix to stream daily episodes.
View 2 ImagesHarry Maguire is set to feature on The Rest is Football podcast for the World Cup
Other big names are expected to join Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on their show over in New York with third host Micah Richards to also be stateside but mostly back in Salford.
The 33-year-old would have certainly preferred playing for his country though, with his statement following the decision showcasing exactly that.
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“I was confident I could of played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had. I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision,” he wrote to Instagram.
“I’ve loved nothing more than putting that shirt on and representing my country over the years. I wish the players all the best this summer.”
Maguire and Luke Shaw missing out will at least be a positive for Michael Carrick as he prepares for a first pre-season in permanent change of Manchester United.