Harry Maguire Must Be Praised For His Heroic England Performances When The Pressure Was On

It has been an incredibly difficult 12 months for Harry Maguire, who has been on the receiving end of non-stop vitriol and criticism.

Since the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, where England lost on penalties to Italy, Maguire’s form has taken a nose dive for his club, Manchester United.

For one reason or another, Maguire’s confidence had withered away, failing to make a positive impact under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick during the 2021/22 campaign.

Even during the first half of the current season, new boss Erik Ten Hag has clearly preferred to use Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane – when fit – at the heart of his defence, over Maguire.

The Englishman has been injured during a portion of October and November, but even when fit, it is clear that Maguire has been on the lower rungs of the pecking order.

However, Gareth Southgate has stuck by the £80-million man against all the criticism that has been thrown his way. There were England fans claiming that Maguire should not be selected in the 26-man squad, let alone start for the Three Lions.

The England boss has stuck to his principles and shown immense faith in the central defender throughout. He has started Maguire in all three group games and has seen the rewards fall his way for showing that belief in him.

Maguire came into the tournament under immense pressure, as he has been under all season. Fans of his current club and rival fans jeering and criticising him for every turn for a sustained period of time has got to be difficult to overcome, but Maguire went back to basics and risen above it.

His form for England has been imperious and he looks back to his best for his country. Maguire remains a threat from set-pieces, which is crucial under Southgate, as well as having the ability to drive into midfield and add to the attack.

While harder tests are going to come in terms of defending – starting with Senegal in the Round of 16 – Maguire has controlled the variables he can and risen above the parapet with confidence and class.

Maguire is incredibly important to the way Southgate sets out his England side, whether that will be in a four-back formation or opting for three central defenders and two wing-backs against, historically, ‘tougher’ opposition.

It will be interesting to see how Southgate navigates through the knockout rounds and whether he decides to return to three central defenders or stick to his group game strategy of playing on the front foot. Either way, Maguire is essential to either in both an attacking and defending sense.

Time will tell whether he can regain his Manchester United starting spot, but this tournament should enable him to translate his form for England into his club for when they return after Christmas.

If England are to go far during this year’s edition of the World Cup, Maguire will have played his part and some in making it happen.