Harry Maguire’s inclusion in the final England squad before the World Cup was met by criticism from some parts of the England support, with the United skipper starting just two league games this season.
Erik ten Hag dropped Maguire ahead of last month’s win over Liverpool and the 29-year-old has made just one league appearance since – a late cameo against Arsenal when he replaced the injured Lisandro Martinez.
The international break was an opportunity for Maguire to put the troubles in Manchester to the side but after a mistake against Germany on Monday, the spotlight was on the former Leicester star once again.
Maguire mistimed a tackle in the second half and subsequently, a penalty was awarded and Ilkay Gundogan could give the visitors the lead at Wembley.
Now, Chelsea star Reece James has come to his team-mate’s defence. Speaking after the game, he insisted that Maguire’s form is merely a ‘slip-up’.
Read more: (Video) Luke Shaw pulls one back for England against Germany at Wembley
“You’re playing and you make a mistake, I feel like you’re experienced enough to know you’ve made a mistake and you don’t need to be told,” James told Football Daily, as seen above.
“Harry hasn’t been playing too much this season, he’s still finding his rhythm. We know the quality he has and hopes he has so there’s no doubt.
“It’s just a little slip-up and I’m sure he’ll bounce back and be strong moving forward.”