Maguire as captain but may miss World Cup, Tuchel names four ahead of him! Manchester United could benefit

Harry Maguire officially rejoined the England squad this week, started in the 1-1 friendly draw against Uruguay, and even served as captain in the second half. However, manager Tuchel's post-match comments likely chilled the heart of United's £80 million defender, as he faces the risk of missing the World Cup.

This was Maguire's first game under Tuchel, but the England boss clearly stated that several players hold higher status in the team than Maguire. "I think there are other players who are better than Harry (Maguire)," Tuchel surprisingly said.

In this England friendly, many regular starters trusted by Tuchel, such as Harry Kane, Marc Guehi, and Morgan Rogers, were rested. Players like Maguire need to impress the coach with their performances, otherwise they might miss the World Cup.

Tuchel stated: "I think Ezri Konsa is ahead of him, and Marc Guehi too, that's no secret. Also, I think Trevoh Chalobah has slightly better mobility. And John Stones, but he's injured and couldn't join the camp."

Of course, English media believe Tuchel's view might also be a wake-up call for Maguire, as he has seen the 33-year-old defender's response to challenges at United and hopes he can replicate that for England. This was Maguire's 65th appearance for England, having represented the nation in three major tournaments. However, before this match at Wembley, he had been absent from the "Three Lions" for a long time, his last appearance being against Ireland in September 2024.

Maguire has his own strengths, especially in knockout stages, where he can excel in crossing, long passes, and set-piece situations, helping the team compete for aerial duels, whether in attacking to score or defending to preserve the lead, playing a crucial role.

Tuchel kept the door open for Maguire's World Cup participation: "If a decision had to be made tomorrow, given our many injured players, Harry could be selected. Who else could stand in the central defense? I got what I expected, the defense was excellent, which is his forte. He has strong ball control, a calm mentality, good aerial duel ability, and is a reliable option for handling set-pieces. I haven't changed my mind, but I also see other players I consider suitable to start."

Maguire's competitors also include Newcastle's Dan Burn, another 33-year-old veteran, and Bayer Leverkusen's Jarrell Quansah, whom Tuchel intends to assess, but the 23-year-old defender couldn't play due to a thigh injury.

Tuchel called up as many as 35 players this time, while the World Cup squad has only 26 spots, requiring nine cuts. Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, and Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin appear to be first out, as they were omitted from Tuchel's match list.

Maguire needs to continue striving, impress the England coaching staff with his performances, and hope other players become unavailable due to injury for the World Cup. Tuchel said: "I need to see his performance in the squad myself, and now it will be interesting to see his reaction. He will stay in the squad, as I said, he is a valuable asset."

However, if Maguire cannot participate in the 2026 USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup, it might actually benefit Manchester United, who are about to renew his contract. It's well known that World Cup players not only expend more physical energy but also miss full pre-season training due to post-tournament vacations, potentially affecting next season's performance. Especially for the already 33-year-old Maguire, sufficient summer rest and training are essential to ensure vitality for the new season. The situation is similar for 30-year-old Luke Shaw, who was omitted from this England squad and has no chance for the World Cup.