'He's a No.9!' - Thomas Tuchel admits 'threat' Harry Maguire is 'always in his thoughts' despite Man Utd defender being snubbed by England again

Experienced centre-half Maguire missed out on Tuchel’s first selection as Three Lions boss due to injury. He has been overlooked completely for a World Cup qualifier with Andorra and an international friendly date with Senegal.

Maguire has 64 caps to his name, but has formed part of a United team in 2024-25 that have flopped in spectacular fashion. They have been unable to secure European qualification for next season, and no United players have been called upon by Tuchel in his latest squad.

Uncapped Trevoh Chalobah has been selected for the first time ahead of fixtures in June, with the Chelsea defender considered to have edged ahead of Maguire in the pecking order as Tuchel seeks to blend pedigree with potential.

England’s German coach said of snubbing Maguire, who has been deployed as an emergency striker by United at times this season: "He is always in my thoughts because he covers, of course, the position of a central defender but also as a No.9, as you know!

"He is always in our thoughts, he is always a threat from set-pieces, he has a big personality and he steps up in difficult times, as you can see at his club. He is always in our thoughts. At the moment, Ezri [Konsa] keeps his place. Dan Burn, a left-footer, keeps his place. Marc [Guehi] is happier to play on the left side, but had injuries, so we decided on a left-footer in Levi Colwill to get this.

"We see, at this very moment, Trevoh a little bit ahead of Harry. I think that I have a very clear picture of what Harry represents and what Harry can do and what he will bring to the squad.

"I am not so clear about how Trevoh will behave in this environment, so this is where it is. I think performance-wise, Trevoh is a step ahead at the moment; he is involved in a fight for a Champions League campaign and that's why."

Maguire has seen questions asked of his future at Old Trafford, despite playing his way back into favour this season, with every member of Ruben Amorim’s underperforming squad said to have been made available for transfer.