Harry Maguire defends England place as Man Utd captain highlights making Euro 2020 team of tournament after injury
HARRY MAGUIRE is confident he will be a success at the World Cup and dismissed the criticism he has faced in recent months.
The Manchester United captain, 29, started in England’s 1-0 defeat to Italy on Friday.
He has been left out of the Red Devils team in recent weeks having last started in the 4-0 defeat to Brentford.
But Gareth Southgate continues to show faith in the centre-back and Maguire claimed he does not take notice of criticism.
He accused the media of chasing clicks by slamming his performances and suggested he proved many wrong by getting into the Euro 2020 team of the tournament following a lengthy injury absence.
Maguire told talkSPORT: “I am all good, ready to play, I feel fit and fresh. On my form, I don’t know what has been said, I don’t really read about it.
“I came off the back of three positive games with England in the summer, and a good pre-season, I felt really good.
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“Obviously, the manager [Erik ten Hag] decided to leave me out for a game, and the team have been winning since.
“I am working hard on the training pitch to make sure I am ready for when my opportunity comes. That is all that I can do to try and help the team.
“I am not concentrating on anybody else and what people are saying, I think if people can make a story about me, I am Manchester United captain, it is going to make big news.
“So, that is the reason they do it, they like the clicks, and things like that, but I went into the Euros after an eight-week injury, and did not play one game, and got into the team of the tournament.
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“In terms of rustiness, and things like that, I am sure that won’t happen.”
Maguire showed signs of rustiness against the Azzurri and struggled a little against Gianluca Scamacca early on before finding his feet.
His defensive partner Eric Dier outperformed him despite playing his first England game since November 2020.
But Southgate is a fan of Maguire’s ability in the air and on the ball.
He said of the United star: “He is our most dominant aerial centre-back.
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“Him and John Stones are incredible with the ball – the amount of pressure they have taken for the team in tournaments we have played because we don’t always have that midfield pivot player who can progress the game.
“It means there is a huge amount more pressure on our centre backs to use the ball well and those two are as good as any in world football at doing that.”