England Boss Backs Struggling Harry Maguire Says Defender Is 'One of the Best'

• Gareth Southgate has thrown his weight behind underfire Manchester United central defender Harry Maguire
• The lanky defender has been enduring a poor streak of performances for the Red Devils scoring an own goal in their game against Tottenham to highlight his ordeal
• Despite huge criticisms about Maguire's poor form, the Three Lions head coach included the Manchester United captain in his squad to face Switzerland and Côte d'Ivoire

England manager Gareth Southgate has defended beleaguered Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire following his inclusion in Englan's squad ahead of the international break.

Maguire has been the subject for discussion in recent weeks owing to his poor form in the heart of the defence for Manchester United.

Despite his poor showing for the Red Devils, the 29-year-old has been included in Southgate's squad for the upcoming international friendlies.

Responding to questions about his inclusion in the squad, Southgate argued the defender has been one of England's best defenders and it never crossed his mind to omit him from his recent squad.

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“I don’t think it ever crossed our minds not to select Harry Maguire for this squad,” Southgate explained as quoted by Manchester United's official website.

The England boss added: “He’s been a key part of the starting lineup that got us to a World Cup semi-final and a Euros final. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s one of our best centre-backs.”

Southgate excludes red-hot Jadon Sancho from England squad

Meanwhile, Gareth Southgate has broken down the exact reason he did not select Jadon Sancho for England’s forthcoming friendlies.

Since the inception of the year, Sancho has starred for Manchester United and has been the club’s glimmer of hope at a time when the Red Devils are struggling to re-establish themselves as footballing giants in England.

For United, Sancho scored against Southampton as well as in the Manchester derby, and he also set up one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals against Tottenham on Saturday, March 12.

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Jamie Carragher warns Maguire to up the ante or suffer an early exit at United

Former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has issued a word of caution to his compatriot Harry Maguire following his recent string of subpar performances.

Maguire, formerly of Leicester City, is enduring a torrid moment at Manchester United with his recent performances doing little to plead his course for him.

The 29-year-old scored an own goal in United's 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspurs and as if that was not enough he topped it up with a dismal showing against Atletico Madrid as the Red Devils were booted out of the Champions League.