Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney thinks England’s priority should be getting Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson back to full fitness.
The pair missed England’s EURO2020 opener against Croatia, though the latter was able to make the bench. The Three Lions won 1-0 and Marcus Rashford was the only United player to feature – for 20 minutes from the bench.
The Premier League’s best two left-backs, Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, were overlooked with Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier getting the nod from the start. Jordan Pickford also started ahead of Dean Henderson.
United skipper Maguire is expected to remain side-lined for Friday’s match against Scotland.
Rooney, however, believes getting the pair back to full fitness should be Gareth Southgate’s priority.
“There’s a lot of quality in the squad, my only worry is a lack of experience – it’s important Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson get fit because they will be vital moving forward,” Rooney told Sky Sports, as per ManUtd.com.
“Quality-wise, they have as much as anyone in the competition and they have a great chance.”
Of course, having everyone fit is the ideal situation for a football manager but Southgate will hope their return – as well as beating Croatia 1-0 – gives the entire squad a lift going into the latter rounds.
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