Sven-Goran Eriksson has warned England manager Gareth Southgate against picking Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw for the World Cup because they do not play regularly.
Both defenders were dropped by United manager Erik ten Hag after a shaky start to the Premier League season and failed to regain their places from Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia respectively.
But Maguire and Shaw were still both in Southgate’s squad for this week’s UEFA Nations League games against Italy and Germany, with the England boss likely to stick with his trusted lieutenants for Qatar.
Sven-Goran Eriksson has warned Gareth Southgate against picking Harry Maguire (pictured) after he was dropped from Manchester United’s starting line-up
The former Three Lions boss has also insisted left-back Luke Shaw (pictured) should be dropped
Eriksson, who coached England between 2001 and 2006, has warned against taking the pair to the tournament if they don’t regain their United spot.
He said: “I think it’s difficult for Southgate to pick, Maguire and Shaw because if they don’t play regularly it’s very difficult to have them play for the national team because to train is one thing and another to have a regular routine of games. So this is difficult.’
Eriksson, who has led England to two World Cups and one European Championship, also warned against using Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
Southgate has often overlooked Alexander-Arnold in favor of Kyle Walker or Kieran Trippier, but he has been called up to his latest squad despite some worrying moments in the pre-season.
Southgate has often overlooked Alexander-Arnold in favor of Kyle Walker or Kieran Trippier
Speaking to BoyleSports, Eriksson said: “It’s amazing how many good right-backs there are, you could almost close your eyes and pick a name.
“I remember in my time we had Gary Neville or on the other hand Ashley Cole, if they weren’t available there was a problem. But if a right-back or two isn’t available here, you can easily field one.
“I think I would start with Alexander-Arnold or Kyle Walker, one of them.
“Trent is obviously a fantastic attacker, great crosses and a great right foot, an extremely good right foot.
“As a defender he’s not the best in the world but when you play for Liverpool, attack, attack, maybe they don’t need that.
“I think it depends a lot on who the opponent is. For example Brazil, where you probably won’t have as much ball, maybe then put on a stronger one defensively.”
The former Three Lions manager also believes Marcus Rashford can still win a place in England’s starting line-up when they start their World Cup against Iran on November 21.
The former manager also believes Marcus Rashford can still win a place in England’s starting XI
Rashford is looking revitalized under Ten Hag this season after a 2021-22 campaign that began with disappointment over his missed penalty in the Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy and has been struggling with injury.
The Man United striker missed Southgate’s last pick with a muscle problem, with Jadon Sancho, who has also been far better this season, a notable omission.
Eriksson said: “Regarding the absence of Sancho and Rashford, I think Rashford should be in the squad. He picked 28 players I think.
“That’s a lot, I don’t think he can do that for the World Cup but it means he wants to see as many players as possible. And he wants to work with them and see how they are in training.
England boss Southgate has a tough decision to make ahead of the 2022 World Cup
“I think it’s normal, but I think some of the players who haven’t been selected still have a chance to be selected if he chooses the World Cup squad.
“One thing I found a little odd, but good for English football. The players come from I think 16/17 different clubs and there weren’t that many clubs in my day.
“They have players from Dortmund, players from Roma, which is fantastic, so I find it strange that there are so many players who are good enough to play for the national team and not just for big teams.
“You’re not used to seeing a couple of players from Newcastle and West Ham play in the national team.”
England play Italy in Milan on Friday night and Germany at Wembley next Monday to avoid the ignominy of being relegated from League A of the Nations League.
They are three points behind Italy and realistically need to win both games this week to avoid relegation to League B.
