IT’S an England squad where all the big attacking decisions were over who to leave out.
Yet as Gareth Southgate surveys his 33-man training party ahead of Euro 2024, there’s one odd stat that might lead you to the opposite conclusion.
And ironically it concerns a Manchester United team-mate of Marcus Rashford – the main name axed.
Fans perusing the facts and figures over Southgate‘s provisional squad were surprised to see the list of England’s highest scorers.
Way out in front of course is skipper Harry Kane with the Three Lions’ all-time record of 62 – from 89 appearances.
Arsenal marauder Bukayo Saka is comfortably in second place, albeit with “just” 11 in 32 games.
But it’s who comes next that raises eyebrows even higher than the man in question jumps in the penalty box.
Step forward – and leap up – Harry Maguire!
The Red Devils’ centre-back, 31, has bagged seven goals in 63 internationals, mainly thanks to his dynamic heading ability.
Maguire has managed to win round Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag after struggling for game-time early in the season.
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And although he’s a leader on the pitch, it’s the quiet way he knuckled down to the challenge that has impressed most observers.
Maguire has remained an England regular pretty much since making his debut in 2017, a year into Southgate’s reign.
He switched from Leicester to the Red Devils for £85million in 2019, a then-world record for a defender.
And after a honeymoon period, there were a few wobbles at United.
But for the Three Lions his consistency has rarely dropped.
And he became a fans’ favourite at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Partly that was because he was snapped during downtime riding an inflatable unicorn.
But mostly it was due to his rousing performances, capped by a soaring, scoring header in the 2-0 quarter-final win over Sweden.
Nonetheless, supporters are still intrigued to see a current England squad packed with frontline options where Maguire is so high up the goal list.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden is fourth on four goals.
Then come five aces on three – Real Madrid’s star man Jude Bellingham, Aston Villa’s bang-in-form forward Ollie Watkins and Arsenal anchorman Declan Rice, plus defenders Luke Shaw and John Stones.
Remember, Southgate’s squad also includes flair players like Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Cole Palmer, plus Brentford striker Ivan Toney and an exciting batch of rookies.
One fan posted: “THE THIRD HIGHEST GOAL SCORER IS HARRY MAGUIRE” – followed by shocked emojis.”
Another wrote: “This squad lacks goalscorers which is why he should’ve taken Rashford instead of Grealish, I mean you already have Saka and Foden if you want creativity, that decision might bite him.”
And a third responded: “Yet another reason why you have to take Rashford.”
Meanwhile, as that selection debate rages on, you can expect Maguire to once again just let his feet – and head – do the talking.
