Pranav Nair
Gareth Southgate backs Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire to return to his best
According to Sky Sports, England national team boss Gareth Southgate has backed Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire to get back to his best.
The defender has endured a difficult start to the season both on and off the field. Maguire was a subject of a suspended sentence for aggravated assault, resisting arrest and repeated attempts of bribery while holidaying in Greece. He has since appealed the verdict.
The 27-year-old has fared hardly better on the field. United have let in 11 goals in just three Premier League games and are languishing in 16th spot.
His problems don’t look like getting solved after being sent off in England’s 1-0 loss to Denmark. The United star received his marching orders after picking up a second yellow in the 31st minute.
Describing the defender as a top player, Southgate expressed his belief that Maguire will come out of this ordeal a stronger person. The England boss also reiterated his support for the under-fire star.
“He is a top player and a massive part of what we do. He is having a period where he is getting a lot of stick thrown his way. Maguire is big enough to deal with that and he will be stronger for it. He has our full support and I know his club will be the same.”
Faith in the beleaguered defender
Southgate believes Maguire has what it takes to cope mentally with the criticism that has come his way. According to the report, the England boss has no plans to give Maguire a breather for next month’s internationals.
“Harry’s a strong guy, a strong guy mentally. I think any professional footballer, it takes a lot of ups and downs to reach the level that we’re at and H has definitely had that.”
Meanwhile, national team skipper Harry Kane has also come out in defence of Maguire. While he admits it was not the best night for the United star, he expects Maguire to learn from it.
England next face Belgium in the Nations League fixture on 15th November.
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Maguire will return to action for United when we face Newcastle United this weekend.
The 27-year-old is a much better footballer than he is being given credit for these days. It is now up to him to remind everyone once again why United signed him last summer.
