Overview

• Wayne Rooney said it is “so important” Harry Maguire is in England’s 2026 World Cup squad after the centre-back’s late header sealed Manchester United’s 2-1 win at Liverpool.
• Maguire has not appeared for England in over a year, with manager Thomas Tuchel leaving him out of every squad during that spell.
• Rooney highlighted Maguire’s leadership in the dressing room and his set-piece threat as reasons to include him at the tournament.
• The victory was United’s first at Anfield since 2016, coming as Maguire has started three of United’s past four matches under Ruben Amorim.
• Maguire said he is in the final year of his United contract and acknowledged this could have been his last match at Anfield for the club.