Maguire rejoins US tour after mystery absence as United axe Garnacho, Sancho, Antony

Harry Maguire will fly out on Wednesday to rejoin Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the United States after mysteriously missing from the initial squad list released by manager Ruben Amorim.

The 32-year-old defender, who featured in Saturday’s goalless draw against Leeds in Stockholm, was surprisingly absent from the 32-man squad heading to the US. The omission triggered confusion and speculation among fans, particularly as no explanation came from the club. It was later confirmed Maguire had been left out for personal reasons.

In a short message posted on social media on Tuesday evening, Maguire put an end to the swirling rumours: “All is fine now. I will be travelling tomorrow to meet up with the squad. Thanks for your concern.”

United sources had quietly expected the England international to join the group before the tour concludes on 3 August, though they declined to elaborate on the nature of his absence.

While Maguire now returns to Amorim’s squad, four familiar names were excluded altogether. Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia have been left behind at Carrington, where they will continue training while actively seeking transfers away from Old Trafford.

The tour party, which faces West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton across the US, includes fresh blood in the form of new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Mbeumo completed his £65 million move from Brentford on Monday, while Cunha shared images online of the recent birth of his second child before preparing to travel.

Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana also made the squad despite not being match-fit. Martinez is still recovering from major knee surgery and won’t take part in group training. Onana, meanwhile, picked up a hamstring injury at the start of pre-season and will sit out all three tour fixtures.

Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee has joined the squad after appearing in the Leeds match. However, 17-year-old defender Godwill Kukonki has been dropped, hinting at a shake-up in Amorim’s youth selections.

Five promising youngsters—Sekou Kone, Reece Munro, Ethan Williams, Bendito Mantato, and Jack Fletcher—have retained their places in the travelling party. Fletcher, the son of ex-United midfielder and current Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher, continues to catch the eye as Amorim reshapes the squad in his debut campaign without European football.

United’s tour kicks off with a clash against West Ham at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 26 July—a venue that recently hosted the Club World Cup final. They’ll then meet Bournemouth in Chicago on 30 July before rounding off the tour against Everton in Atlanta on 3 August.

This US campaign serves as more than a warm-up. With United out of Europe for the first time since the 2014–15 season, Amorim faces pressure to fine-tune his side and lay early groundwork for domestic success. The dramatic comings and goings—Maguire’s brief disappearance, the exclusion of high-profile attackers, and the focus on youth—hint at a bold new direction under the Portuguese manager.

Whether this rejigged squad can rise to the challenge remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: pre-season has already delivered the drama.