Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were unused substitutes as Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford on Monday, but what does their omission mean for their hopes of of a place in England’s World Cup squad?
Gareth Southgate was at Old Trafford on Monday night, along with his assistant Steve Holland, hoping to see as many potential England players as possible.
But while Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho gave timely reminders to the England boss with impressive performances as United were transformed from the team that had lost to Brentford and Brighton, the sight of Maguire and Shaw – two key players for Southgate in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final – on the bench would have been a concern real concern with the World Cup just 89 days away.
‘Worrying signs for Maguire’
Southgate has always said that, to be selected for his squad, you have to be playing well, and playing regularly, for your club.
So, Maguire’s disappointing performances and his relegation to the bench for one of the biggest games of the Premier League season is extremely worrying for the defender, who is doing neither.