Fans disagree over ‘scandalous’ Gareth Southgate decision involving Man Utd star

Harry Maguire’s inclusion in England’s 26-man FIFA World Cup squad has caused disagreement among fans.

The Manchester United centre-back has struggled for game time this season, playing a bit-part role under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have been preferred so far this season, with Maguire making just four Premier League appearances, starting three of those games.

Despite that, and his poor form and recent injury, Maguire has remained a favourite of Gareth Southgate’s, and he has got the nod for the World Cup after the squad was announced on Thursday. “He is one of our best centre-backs,” Southgate reasoned after the announcement.

Meanwhile, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, John Stones and Ben White have also been called up as centre-back options. But it’s the selections of Maguire and Coady appear to have caused the most controversy, especially ahead of AC Milan star Fikayo Tomori.

Tomori played 30 of AC Milan’s 38 league games last season as they won the Serie A title, and he has been involved just as consistently so far this term. Some fans are not happy with that selection decision, and here we have rounded up what some fans have said on Twitter.

@DannyJA21 - “Southgate’s loyalty to maguire will only end in tears for all involved.”

@VFdida - “In regards to Maguire - he was the starting defender for an England that reached a semi and a final, and there aren’t any outstanding defenders that were excluded bar Tomori …but you’d still pick Harry anyway. The attack is more stacked for England anyway.”

@Utdellis - “Dier and Coady being called up over Tomori is absolutely scandalous.”

@Carlavfccarla - “Maguire is in.. again.. how little game time he has had.”

@Swiller1988 - “Sorry but no one can actually justify Harry Maguire being selected It’s a farce.”

@Bloatyheader - “I tend to give Southgate a bit more leeway because he’s been responsible for some the best moments of my football-suppirting life but not stating that you’re not taking a player because his dip in form has come at a bad time and then picking Maguire is...a choice.”

@Paul_James7 - “Would of had ward-prowse in ahead of gallagher and tomori in ahead of maguire based of recent form, but maguire was brilliant for us in the euro’s, solid squad though, not getting my hopes up to much this time round, Brazil the bet for me #WorldCup.”

@Alardyci - “Hope Maguire can perform for England again but I wouldn’t be against White pairing with Stones in a 4atb. We’re in trouble if we’re seeing Coady and Dier playing.”

@Artybyrt - “Maguire over Tomori is criminal in my opinion.”