Harry Maguire is back in the England squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan after impressive performances for Manchester United and Thomas Tuchel has explained his thinking
Harry Maguire of Manchester United
Harry Maguire is in with a shot of making the World Cup squad(Image: Mark Cosgrove/Getty Images)
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Harry Maguire has completed his remarkable career renaissance with an England recall. Manchester United veteran Maguire, 33, has not played for England in nearly two years and was out in the cold at Old Trafford before being restored under Michael Carrick.
But Maguire, such a key part of the last two World Cups, is part of the unprecedented 35-man squad for the two Wembley friendlies with Uruguay and Japan on March 27 and 31 respectively. It is a novel idea by Thomas Tuchel who will give the likes of Harry Kane and Declan Rice the first week off but Maguire will get his chance to showcase his talent as well as being a good tourist.
England boss Tuchel actually pointed towards Maguire’s aerial prowess in both boxes as his “super-strength” for a World Cup played in blistering heat when set-pieces may be all important.
Tuchel said: “Harry’s just played super-solid football, in a bit of a slightly different approach than we play. So it will be very interesting how fast he can also adapt to a different style of defending, to a different style of defensive set-up. And then he just plays very, very solid football on a high level, in a very successful team at the moment. And he has a super-strength in defending the box and attacking in the box. So with set-pieces and crosses.
“I just want to get to know him, use the momentum, see how he can adapt to our style of defending. And then see him within the group to make a decision in May, if we take him to the World Cup. Because, like I said, in addition to that he has a super-strength in defending and attacking with his head.
“It's interesting how we're trying to build the group, and I want to arrive with a strong group, and I want to be absolutely certain that we have a group that can enjoy weeks and weeks and weeks together. That we have the energy right, and we have the chemistry right.”
Harry Maguire
Maguire has not played for England since 2024(Image: Michael Regan/The FA via Getty Images)
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It is a similar story for Maguire’s teammate Kobbie Mainoo - such a key player for England at the last Euros - who was a forgotten man under previous boss Ruben Amorim but is also back in. Tuchel said: “He's part of a huge turnaround of results and energy in the Man United team, I think he's started all matches under Michael Carrick, everyone at the FA, guys who played with him at tournaments are full of praise, so it's time to get to know him.
“I think personally where he is still in a phase where he didn't play so long time, he didn't play football, I think the real strength is about to come.”
United’s players have not actually played as many minutes because they are not in Europe and went out of the domestic cups early on. However, the demands on players from players at Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa has been huge. That explains Tuchel’s decision to name 35 but 11 will not actually report up until the end of next week.
They are: Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Kane and Bukayo Saka. They have all played over 3,500 minutes.
Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel has named a 35-man squad for the March internationals(Image: Getty Images)
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But that means then at least nine will go home. Tuchel refused to reveal who will leave the camp but says they have been told but he also says any of them can make him change their mind.
The call-ups for Dom Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are eye-catching while James Garner got the nod as he can play right-back and midfield. Tuchel said: “I would never call it A and B… but these players have at the moment more credit with me than the other players. I think just naming it is more clear. I see the danger.
“There can maybe be disappointment on Saturday but they have enough time now to digest it. Their reaction was all there. They were very happy to come. They get a fully focused, a streamlined four days, and they also get the best support from the coaching staff.
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“I just feel that the clubs are not in a position at the moment to rest the players. I never rested my players for the national team. It’s just a reality and it’s just absolutely normal. They have decisive matches coming up.
“If we had two qualifying matches, we would not rest anyone. I would put our priorities absolutely at the top of the list. I would not gamble on that. Everyone would be in camp and we would play the strongest squad in both qualifying matches.
“But we are qualified and we have friendly matches and that changes and gives us the chance to give the players a mental and a physical rest.”
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