Palace boss Patrick Vieira says a ‘lack of respect’ is shown to Manchester United’s Harry Maguire

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira says that there is a lack of respect shown to Manchester United defender Harry Maguire after he was named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad.

Maguire, 29, has only featured four times in the Premier League this season under Erik ten Hag.

But the United player was selected ahead of Eagles defender Marc Guehi, who has played every minute of top-flight football under Vieira this season.

Palace trio Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell and Eberechi Eze were named in the provisional 55-man squad but missed out on the final squad.

Maguire was selected alongside fellow centre-backs Conor Coady, Eric Dier, John Stones and Ben White.

“Sometimes you guys [the media] show a lack of respect to Maguire and to some of the players who have been selected in the national team,” said Vieira.

“Maguire is a top player who has a really strong character. Sometimes you can play well, and sometimes you can play badly, but that doesn’t take away the quality that he has and the personality that he has.

“The England national team will benefit from that.”

Guehi, 22, had been involved in the three previous England squads before the Qatar World Cup team was named on Thursday.

“Regarding Marc, what he has to do is to keep being consistent with his performances. 

“Marc, if you compare him to Maguire, the difference is that Maguire knows [things] that international level which Marc doesn’t know yet.

“The manager has to make a decision about what he wants for that tournament. Again, Marc, or anybody else, should respect that decision and make a judgement at the end of the tournament.

“The manager knows the player better than we do. The manager knows what he wants from players and how he wants to play the game. 

“The nation has to trust, believe, and be behind the manager. Then, when the tournament is finished, everybody can express their opinion.

“I believe that what England needs is for the opinion of the nation to be behind and to support the decision of the manager – then, see how it goes.”