England star Harry Maguire issues emotional statement after being axed by Gareth Southgate | Football | Sport

Harry Maguire has spoken out for the first time since failing to make the 26-man squad Gareth Southgate will take to Euro 2024. The England and Manchester United defender has failed to overcome a calf problem he sustained in April, with the injury blow leaving him ‘devastated’.

Maguire has been a regular fixture for Southgate at the last three major tournaments. England’s runs to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, the Euro 2020 final, and the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals were all achieved with the former Sheffield United man at the heart of defence.

The 31-year-old has racked up 63 caps at international level, maintaining his spot in the side even when he had fallen out of favour at United. But another centre-back will step in to take his place this summer as his calf has not healed in time.

“I am devastated not to have been selected to play for England at the Euros this summer,” Maguire wrote on Instagram. “Despite my best efforts, I have not been able to overcome an injury to my calf.

“Maybe I pushed myself too hard, to try and make it. Simply, I am absolutely gutted. For me, representing England is the highest honour. It means everything to me.

“If I can’t help the team as a player, I will support them as a fan – along with the rest of the country. Go and win it boys. Next, I will return to the supervision of the Manchester United medical team in order to prepare for next season.”

Maguire is one of seven players to have been given the chop by Southgate, with the England boss needing to trim his 33-man provisional squad down to 26 by the deadline on Friday night.

The Three Lions face Iceland in their final warm-up friendly before then, but the identities of all seven players have been leaked early by various reports. James Maddison is believed to have left the England camp on Wednesday night after discovering he did not make the cut.

Youngsters Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah and James Trafford have reportedly been given bad news. Manchester City star Jack Grealish, despite his lively performance in the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday, is also set to miss out.

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite would have been one of the prime candidates to take Maguire’s place at centre-back, but he is also set to be ditched by Southgate in favour of John Stones, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Joe Gomez and Ezri Konsa.