Back after almost two years
©IMAGO
Harry Maguire has been called up for the England national team for the first time in almost two years and can hope to take part in his third World Cup. He owes his comeback, among other things, to the upswing at Manchester United and a tactical change by coach Michael Carrick.
“It’s fantastic to be back. I’ve missed that because when you’re no longer called up to the squad after being a regular player for six or seven years and playing every game, it’s hard,” Maguire explained in an interview with The Times. The 33-year-old central defender has played 64 international matches since 2017, but was last called up to the Three Lions squad in September 2024.
“The conversation with Tuchel was short and sweet. He just said that I absolutely deserved to be there because of my performances at Manchester United. It was a fantastic phone call,” said Maguire. He himself was optimistic after his recent achievements, “but no one knew whether I would be nominated again or not. My mother even called me from vacation crying.”
Maguire’s market value had fallen from 70 million to 10 million euros in recent years, in addition to age-related devaluations, this was also due to fluctuating performance. Nevertheless, the 1.94 meter tall defender played at least 30 competitive games every season and was often part of the starting line-up under Carrick’s predecessor Rúben Amorim. “Rúben was really good to me and I played almost every game under him as long as I was fit. But Michael has changed the formation and now plays with a back four.”
Maguire sees this tactical change as one of the main reasons for his improving form and return to the England national team. Tuchel also relied exclusively on this system in the World Cup qualification: “I spent the best time of my career in a back four. I have the feeling that I can play more aggressively and offensively there, and that is an important part of my game.”
For Maguire it is clear that Carrick, who is currently only on the sidelines with the Red Devils on an interim basis until the summer, should get a permanent contract. “He’s fantastic. Tactically he’s really, really good,” emphasized Maguire. “The decision is not in our hands. We have to finish the season well and then he should be included directly in the group of other candidates so that the process can begin.”
