Keane tells Maguire his England World Cup snub is 'on you, don't blame anyone else'

Roy Keane has placed the responsibility for Harry Maguire’s World Cup exclusion squarely on the Manchester United defender, telling him that missing a 26-man squad is nobody’s fault but his own.

Speaking ahead of England’s friendly against New Zealand, the former United captain was characteristically direct. “Every time we do an England game, we speak a lot about players who have been left out,” Keane said. “But I think if you can’t get into a squad of 26, that’s on you. That is on the player — you’ve not done enough to convince that manager. There will always be uproar with England for players that are left out if they play for certain clubs, but that’s on you. If you can’t make a squad of 26, that’s on you. Don’t blame anyone else.”

Maguire was among the more high-profile absentees from Thomas Tuchel’s selection, with Dan Burn and Jarell Quansah preferred at centre-back. Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton, Lewis Hall and Morgan Gibbs-White were among the other notable omissions from the broader squad.

The 33-year-old made his feelings clear in a public statement following the announcement. “I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had,” Maguire wrote. “I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I’ve loved nothing more than putting that shirt on and representing my country over the years. I wish the players all the best this summer.”

England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia, with Ghana and Panama also in their group. A friendly against Costa Rica serves as their final warm-up before the tournament begins.

For Manchester United, the absences of Maguire and Luke Shaw from the squad at least offer a degree of clarity heading into pre-season, with Michael Carrick preparing for his first summer in permanent charge at Old Trafford.