Harry Maguire finished the 2025/26 season on a high note. He was a key piece in Manchester United’s late surge under Michael Carrick, starting 15 of the final 17 games and helping the club climb to third place in the Premier League. His return from a thigh injury lined up perfectly with United’s turnaround. But when England’s World Cup roster came out, his name wasn’t on it.
That decision from manager Thomas Tuchel left plenty of people scratching their heads. Maguire had been a fixture for England under Gareth Southgate. He was the guy you trusted in big moments. So what changed?
Phil Neville, the former Manchester United and England defender, broke it down in his column for The Times. And his answer wasn’t about Maguire’s form or his fitness. It was about style.
“I’m a big fan of Harry. He’s been a great servant for Manchester United and a superb player for England,” Neville wrote. “He was a perfect centre half for the way Gareth Southgate set up his team. But this England side have moved on under Tuchel, as we saw in that dynamic display against Croatia.”
Different approach, different fit
Neville pointed out that Tuchel has England playing a much more aggressive brand of soccer. It’s front-foot defending. Man-to-man. High pressure. And that’s not really Maguire’s thing.
“Harry no doubt felt he had finished the season well under Michael Carrick. It’s true, he did,” Neville said. “But since Carrick came in, United have played low, compact, counterattacking football.”
If England were sitting in a low block with ten men behind the ball, Neville argued, Maguire would probably start. He’s still elite at reading the game and defending the box. But that’s not what Tuchel wants.
“What I’m talking about here is not his strength,” Neville added. “Here in the US, England are playing a different style, and it’s what I most admire about them under Tuchel. I love what the head coach is doing with Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guéhi and now Trevoh Chalobah. These are lads who can all play one-to-one.”
That’s the heart of it. Tuchel wants center backs who can handle isolation defending. Maguire, for all his strengths, isn’t built for that system.
Maguire’s reaction and what comes next
Maguire didn’t take the snub quietly. He shared his disappointment on social media, and Tuchel actually responded directly to him. The veteran defender has since joined Gary Lineker’s ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast for the tournament, where he’s been open about the awkward conversation he had with Tuchel over the decision.
But there’s no lingering bitterness here. Maguire already signed a new deal with United, and he’s expected to be a major piece for Carrick next season. Eventually he’ll have to make room for younger guys like Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, but his leadership in the locker room is still valuable.
For now though, England’s back line is built for speed and aggression. And Maguire, for all his experience, just doesn’t fit that picture.
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