Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has taken on an unexpected new assignment following his surprise exclusion from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup.

The centre-back suffered a major disappointment last month when Tuchel announced his selections for the England team heading to the World Cup in North America this summer.

Despite being one of the standout performers for Manchester United, Maguire was among several senior players omitted. While Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled to meet expectations, Maguire arguably delivered his best campaign yet.

Maguire played a crucial role in helping Manchester United secure a third-place finish in the Premier League, ensuring their return to the UEFA Champions League after two seasons. Over the course of 23 league appearances, he recorded six clean sheets and showcased significant improvement, particularly after Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as manager.

His performances earned him a new contract with the club in April, cementing his status as a key member of the squad.

After news of his omission broke, Maguire expressed his disappointment publicly, stating that he was “shocked and gutted by the decision.”

Tuchel, however, responded strongly, describing Maguire’s comments as “unnecessary.”

According to a report by The Telegraph, Maguire will still feature at the World Cup — but not as a player. The publication revealed that the Manchester United defender has been invited to appear as a guest on Gary Lineker’s popular podcast, The Rest is Football, which will be streamed on Netflix during the tournament.

“Securing Maguire as a guest is considered a significant win for Lineker in the competitive broadcasting landscape,” The Telegraph reported. “Media companies are fiercely competing for top pundits, analysts and guests across the 104 matches, starting on June 11 when Mexico face South Africa.”

The report added that it remains uncertain whether Maguire will join the podcast from its Manhattan-based studio or connect remotely from the UK.

As expected, Maguire is likely to face questions about his omission from the England squad. His comments during the show will be closely watched as fans and pundits await his perspective in the weeks following the World Cup announcement.

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