Gareth Southgate has yet again instilled his faith in Harry Maguire despite a slow start to the season for him at Manchester United.
The 29-year-old will likely play a key role for the Three Lions at the forthcoming World Cup after being named in Southgate’s 26-man squad.
At club level though, Maguire has not been awarded the same opportunities this season. It’s no secret that he has fallen down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman preferring a partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane. Next in line of preference is Victor Lindelof.
Maguire did start the Reds’ first two matches of the season, in which they conceded a total six goals across 180 minutes. Since then he has been used sparingly, and made just one Premier League start since August.
It has since been reported that United are open to selling their club captain in the summer.
Maguire’s form for England
His form for England has never really waivered, especially in major tournaments. He was invaluable for the team on their journey to the semi-final in 2018, and even more so at Euro 2020, in which England reached the final. The Three Lions conceded just two goals during the entire competition and consequently, Maguire was named in the Team of the Tournament.
The manager “made calls to, and checks on, Maguire during the turbulent period in which he has found himself out of the Manchester United team amid a dip in form.”
Maguire looks set to start against Iran in England’s first fixture on Monday, November 21.
