Gareth Southgate, England coach, called up Harry Maguire on Tuesday, captain of Manchester United, for the games against Iceland (September 5) and Denmark (day 8), despite the fact that the defender was arrested by the police following a fight on the night of August 20-21 at the Greek island of Mykonos and is on trial.
Maguire pleaded not guilty and was released on parole. In the trial, which began this Tuesday and the defender who is not present, the United captain is being represented by his lawyers.
Southgate said at a press conference about the decision to summon Maguire: “Clearly it is a decision that is not easy and that I can only make with the information I have.”
“I have spoken with Harry (Maguire), I have the perception that the story is very different from what is being reported. Clearly, if the facts change or the information changes, I have to review that decision, ”said the England coach. “I have a fantastic relationship with Harry … I have no reason to doubt what he's telling me,” Southgate added.
England captain Harry Kane is available for Nations League qualifying matches against Iceland and Denmark next month despite being in quarantine after a trip to the Bahamas. Belgium completes the group.
They will be the first matches of the English team since November due to the fact that the competition was interrupted from March due to the coronavirus pandemic. And Euro 2020, postponed to 2021.
United duo Dean Henderson and Mason Greenwood, Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden and Leeds Kalvin Phillips will have the opportunity to make their international debut with the 'pross' team.
By contrast, midfielder Jack Grealish, who helped Aston Villa stay in the Premier League last season, is not on the squad.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eric Dier, Joe Gomez, Michael Keane, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse, Harry Winks
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Mason Greenwood, Danny Ings, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling