England head coach Thomas Tuchel has named Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford in his squad for the extended international break
Thomas Tuchel did not like what Harry Maguire did in the summer
Thomas Tuchel did not like what Harry Maguire did in the summer(Image: Brook Mitchell / AFP via Getty Images)
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England head coach Thomas Tuchel has admitted he did not like Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire's reaction to being left out of his World Cup squad. Despite becoming a trusted member of Michael Carrick's side, Maguire missed out on a spot at the tournament.
Unhappy with the decision, Maguire chose to air his frustrations publicly. "I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had," he wrote on social media. "I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision. 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."
The defender's mother Zoe also shared her disappointment. She posted on social media that she was, 'absolutely disgusted' by the decision. Meanwhile, his brother Joe added: "This might possibly be the worst decision I've ever seen in my life. No words."
Maguire ended up travelling to New York to provide his insight for The Rest is Football podcast. When asked about how he discovered he was not in the squad, the centre-back said: "He [Tuchel] FaceTimes everyone. It was quite an awkward call.
"I said straightaway I was really disappointed. I thought I did enough to be in the squad and thought I could have helped and had a part to play on and off the pitch. He said he can't give me an excuse but he had gone with the four lads who got him through the qualifiers.
"It was tough to take. I did think I would be in the squad after being selected for the March camp under him for the first time. I did really well in both games and then went back to Manchester United and finished the season really strongly."
After naming his latest England squad, Tuchel admitted that he was unhappy with the manner in which Maguire reacted to the setback. "It does not help," he told talkSPORT. "I will not hold it against him for the rest of his life, because I’m not that type of person. I can forget easily and quickly.
"But I didn’t like it and it doesn’t help. I’ve not spoken to him since."
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United have two representatives in the squad for the Nations League clashes with Spain, Czechia and Croatia. Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford have both been selected thanks to their form so far this season.
The duo were both selected for the World Cup too, but Mainoo did not play a single minute. In his press conference on Friday, Tuchel admitted it 'hurt him' not to play the United man in America.