Wayne Rooney has described Harry Maguire's omission from England's World Cup squad as the most surprising call made by manager Thomas Tuchel, insisting the Manchester United defender was unlucky to miss out despite a recent return to form.

Maguire, 33, earned 66 caps for England and featured in the runs to the semi-finals at Russia 2018 and the quarter-finals at Qatar 2022. Injury kept him out of Euro 2024, but a recall for the March internationals had appeared to put him in contention for the tournament across the US, Mexico, and Canada this summer.

"I think the Maguire one was the big one for me, which was a bit of shock," Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Podcast. "I think if you look at him on form, Harry Maguire is very unlucky not to be in it. Maybe he's thinking he doesn't want to be disrespectful to Harry Maguire and take him and not play him."

Rooney identified the key defensive decision as a choice between Maguire and Dan Burn, with Tuchel ultimately opting for the latter. Despite the reservations, the former England captain — who won 120 caps and scored 53 goals between 2003 and 2018 — said he retains faith in Tuchel's overall judgement.

"Even the decisions I don't like, I think I've got a trust in Tuchel and in him as a manager from everything we've seen," he added.

Bellingham, Rogers, and the number 10 debate

Rooney also weighed in on the question of England's number 10 role, backing Tuchel's preference for Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham over Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Morgan Gibbs-White. He did, however, flag the challenge Tuchel faces if Aston Villa's Rogers starts ahead of Real Madrid's Bellingham.

"I'm sure he's prepared and if he doesn't start, I'm sure he knows what comes with that from the media, from Jude, from Jude's family," Rooney said. "I think Jude would probably be the one who goes against what Thomas Tuchel is trying to create. He is a maverick and you've got to accept that. You need that type of player in your World Cup squad."

Toney's return welcomed

Rooney expressed enthusiasm for Tuchel's decision to bring Ivan Toney back into the England fold. The Al-Ahli forward scored 32 goals in the Saudi Pro League this season and netted 36 in 85 Premier League appearances for Brentford before his move to the Middle East in 2024.

"He's a very good player, he's scored goals in the Premier League and he's gone to Saudi. Scoring goals is never a bad thing," Rooney said. He also drew a pointed comparison: "I'm sure no one will be putting Saudi in front of Ronaldo saying 'why is he going, he's playing in Saudi Arabia?'"

Toney featured at Euro 2024 — when England lost the final to Spain — as a late substitute and is expected to serve a similar back-up role to Harry Kane at this summer's tournament. Rooney believes Tuchel must be more willing than Gareth Southgate was to take Kane off when the game demands it.

"Thomas Tuchel has to take that away from him. In the last 20 minutes of games, with that heat, with the humidity, altitude — you need to keep him as fresh as you can," Rooney said. He added that Toney's ability to hold the ball up makes him a particularly valuable option in those conditions.