Rio Ferdinand identifies Man United star who should not be in England’s Euro 2020 squad.
Rio Ferdinand has censured Gareth Southgate’s choice to name injured Harry Maguire in England’s Euro 2020 team.
Southgate declared his final squad for this summer’s European Championships as Aaron Ramsdale, Ben Godfrey, Ben White, Jesse Lingard, James Ward-Prowse, and Ollie Watkins were excluded from the 33-man provisional squad.
Manchester United defender Maguire was one of the 26 players selected for the competition notwithstanding being sidelined with ankle ligament injury.
The center-half missed United’s last five matches of the period including their Europa League final loss to Villarreal.
It remains to be seen at which point in the tournament he will return with Southgate revealing he would likely miss their opening match against Croatia.
And former England center-half Ferdinand considers Maguire should have been left at home as he will strive to get up to speed if he returns while the tournament is then in progress.
The pundit is also concerned that it could become a disturbance to the rest of the team.
ALSO READ:
- Manchester United’s possible Champions League next season group stage opponents.
- Manchester United ‘agree on personal terms with Jadon Sancho.’
- Man Utd £68m Cristiano Ronaldo transfer theory. Ronaldo heading back to Man U?
- Harry Maguire reveals why he snubbed Manchester City for ‘iconic Manchester United’.
He told FIVE :
“England needed another center back. This tells me he (Southgate) is definitely playing three at the back.
“Harry Maguire’s not even fit, I wouldn’t even take Maguire. You’re not fit, you’re not going to be fit for ages, it doesn’t make sense.
“I’ve been in squads with players who haven’t been fit and they don’t perform when they’re not themselves.
“It happened with Becks (David Beckham) and Wazza (Wayne Rooney). As good as Maguire is, he’s not a Becks or a Wazza.
“I don’t think you should take someone who’s not 100% fit. It’s hard to come back and get into a rhythm.
“That narrative ends up taking over the squad and it becomes the conversation and a distraction. Do we really need that? It’s pointless I think. Hopefully he proves me wrong, I would love it if he did.”
Southgate however maintains it was a no-brainer to select Maguire and Jordan Henderson, who is also healing from injury, in the team.
He assumes the two can play a part on the field at some stage, but their leadership and experience in the dressing room will be indispensable.
He said: “We know exactly where he’s (Maguire) at.
“Our medical team have been over with him in Manchester. He’s not travelled to us yet because of quarantine issues coming back from Poland. That was a bit more complicated.
“He’s got a bit to do, like Jordan Henderson, to be available. But we feel the possibility that they can play a part, and the fact they’re such fantastic characters to have around the group…Hendo’s leadership and presence is already having an effect on other people, especially the younger ones in the group, but all of the others as well.”
Southgate revealed it was a longshot for Maguire to be fit to start England’s opening game against Croatia.
He added: “It is going to be tight for the first game, there is no question.
“He is such a good player and because we had the additional size of squad, we wanted to take that opportunity to bring him into the squad.”
ALSO READ:
- ‘Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger NEVER coached their team.’ Fabio Capello gives a damning verdict.
- Four Premier League players Sir Alex Ferguson wished he could have managed.
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals what United MUST do to close the gap on Man City.
- Fernandes asks Man Utd to sign ‘top’ Serie A player ‘better’ than him.
LIKE OUR: FACEBOOK PAGE JOIN OUR: Telegram Group.
JOIN OUR: Facebook Group. JOIN OUR: Telegram Channel.
Rio Ferdinand identifies Man United star who should not be in England’s Euro 2020 squad.
