>
Defending his place in the England squad with his Euro 2020 appearances, Harry Maguire believes his intense criticism is for ‘clicking’ as he is the captain of Manchester United despite being absent for six weeks
- Harry Maguire has defended his squad in the England team amid Italy’s loss
- The Three Lions 1-0 defeat meant they were relegated from the Nations League A
- Maguire started the match against Italy in San Siro despite his lack of games
- The 29-year-old thinks his criticism is because he is the captain of Manchester United
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Harry Maguire defended his squad for England in their 1-0 defeat to Italy, where they were relegated from the top division of the Nations League.
It was the Three Lions’ third loss in five games as Giacomo Raspadori found the back of the net in the 68th minute at Milan’s San Siro.
But even more worrying for Southgate is that his team have now played five competitive games without a win and have not scored a goal in open play for 450 minutes.
Harry Maguire has defended his England squad in Italy’s defeat despite his lack of playing time
The 29-year-old was backed by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate to be in the starting lineup
The 29-year-old was supported by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate, but his place in the starting lineup has come under scrutiny after six weeks without playing for United, falling behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in the pecking order.
However, the Red Devils captain insists he is ready to play when asked, despite losing his place under Erik ten Hag at club level.
Maguire told talkSPORT: ‘I’m completely fine, ready to play, I feel fit and fresh. On my form I don’t know what was said, I don’t really read about it.
Maguire has been out of position for Man United for six weeks after falling down the pecking order
“I came off the back of three positive games with England in the summer, and a good preparation for the season, I felt really good.
‘Of course, the manager’ [Erik ten Hag] decided to let me out for a game, and the team has won ever since.
“I work hard on the training pitch to make sure I’m ready for when my chance comes. That’s all I can do to help the team.
“I don’t focus on anyone else and what people say, I think if people can make a story about me, I am the captain of Manchester United, it will be big news.
“So that’s why they do it, they like the clicks and things like that, but I went to the European Championship after an eight week injury, didn’t play a game and got into the team of the tournament.
“As far as rusting and things like that go, I’m sure that’s not going to happen.”
Germany will travel to Wembley next week, after they also lost 1-0 on Friday, at home to the group surprise package, Hungary.
The game against Germany is England’s last chance to play together before the start of the World Cup on November 20, with the Three Lions playing their opening game against Iran the following day.