Gareth Southgate’s Harry Maguire England call-up labelled “disrespectful”

Gareth Southgate has been labelled as “disrespectful” after calling up Manchester United’s Harry Maguire to his England squad.

Harry Maguire‘s status at Manchester United has fallen from the top of the tree to rock bottom in the last two seasons – that much is clear.

Erik ten Hag recently stripped his captaincy and handed it to Bruno Fernandes, and Maguire now sits as United’s fourth-choice centre-back, behind Lisandro Martínez, Raphaél Varane, and Victor Lindelöf.

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Despite this, he was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad, which former United defender Paul Parker believes is “disrespectful”.

“His career at the moment should be on hold. He hasn’t played regular football for a long, long time,” Parker told mybettingsites.

“He’s happy to sit on the bench and get money in. Why doesn’t he show a bit of endeavour and sign a contract with financial incentives to show he’s got a point to prove?

“Southgate shouldn’t be picking Maguire and there’s no good reason to pick him. If Southgate wants the respect of his England squad then he shouldn’t be calling him up.”

“It’s disrespectful to other players that are playing week in, week out and playing well for their clubs whilst Southgate is picking Maguire who is not deemed to be good enough for his club side and doesn’t want to go and play.

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“The public will look at Maguire in the squad and see that as unfair.”

As always, there has been discourse relating to Maguire’s selection, with one side pointing out his form for United as evidence that he should be dropped, while others explain that his performances for England show that he should stay in the team.

“You can say every time he’s played for England, he’s played well but there have been times he’s been caught out,” Parker explained.

“He could get caught out this international break because he’s playing against players that are playing week in, week out. They’re sharper.”

“Maguire isn’t blessed with pace or great agility so he will be caught out.”