Gareth Southgate has told Harry Maguire not to worry about his lack of minutes at Manchester United regarding his place in the England squad.
The Sun reports that Maguire is still in Southgate’s plans, despite not having started United’s last four games.
Maguire has been displaced at Old Trafford by Lisandro Martinez, who has formed an excellent pairing with Raphael Varane at the heart of United’s defence.
Maguire’s sacking has been a long time coming for United fans, his form and confidence have been subpar for a long time, and United look visibly safer at the back without him.
Since the Brentford horror show, United have won each of their last four games, building on the strong foundation the last four have provided.
However, Maguire’s England form has remained decent despite his club’s struggles. He is also a favorite of Gareth Southgate, who recently described him as “United’s best centre-back”.
The vote of confidence will provide a welcome boost to Maguire with the World Cup on the horizon.
England’s lack of options in central defense may also factor into Southgate’s desire to defend Maguire, whose form has been indefensible for the past 18 months.
Erik Ten Hag has also recently placed public trust in the £80m man, choosing to stick with Maguire as club captain when others, including current squad members, felt it was time for a change in leadership at the club. locker room.
Given the form of Martinez and Varane, it’s hard to see Maguire regaining his place in the first team at club level, barring injuries to the first-choice pair.
Maguire came off the bench for the final minutes of the weekend’s win against Arsenal, a cameo that saw him booked a minute into his introduction and generally looking shaky as United closed out the game.
Maguire’s confidence is at an all time low and his future at United hangs in the balance. Rumors that he might have walked away from Old Trafford at the end of the transfer window, the most significant indicator of his fall from grace at the club.
The Europa League will likely give Maguire some playing time to try and rediscover any kind of form he may take at the World Cup in November.
United’s next game is in Europe, against Real Sociedad on Thursday night, with Maguire hoping to start.
