Pundit suggests new player revolt amid Harry Maguire development at Man United
Noel Whelan has suggested other England stars “won’t be pleased” if Gareth Southgate persists with the “strange” selection of out-of-form Man United ace Harry Maguire.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 29-year-old shouldn’t be selected for the Three Lions while he remains out of the Red Devils side.
Maguire started and played 90 minutes in each of this month’s Nations League matches – a 1-0 defeat against Italy (23 September) and a 3-3 draw with Germany (26 September).
The former Leicester star did little to silence his critics when he conceded a penalty for bringing down Jamal Musiala just moments after surrendering possession.
Maguire hasn’t started in the Premier League for Man United since their 4-0 away loss at Brentford in the second week of the season (13 August).
Whelan namedropped Eric Dier and Fikayo Tomori as players potentially more deserving of a starting berth.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Maguire seems to be safe, doesn’t he?
“In my opinion, if you’re not playing for your club you shouldn’t be playing for the national side.
“That’s just the way it’s been for a long time. But there seems to be a trust in Harry Maguire from Gareth Southgate.
“You don’t become a bad player overnight, but he’s certainly not been consistently good.
“He doesn’t look like he’s going to get back in that Man United side until there’s an injury or a suspension.
“If you’re playing regularly, you have that match fitness and sharpness. He has probably also lost a lot of confidence in himself.
“It’s a strange one, but Gareth has got the faith in him. It won’t be pleasing to other players, like Dier or Tomori, if they are to drop out of the side for someone who isn’t playing regular football.”
In other news, pundit backs Man United to axe David de Gea after source’s £45m reveal.