Maguire has fallen out of favour with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford after suffering an alarming drop off in form over the last 12 months. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have been the Dutchman's pairing of choice with many calling for the 29-year-old to be left out of the squad as a result. However, Southgate never really seemed likely to leave out the player who has reserved his best form for England over the past few years. Upon naming his squad he hit back at those who had been critical of the defender. "He is one of our best centre-backs," he told reporters while explaining his selection. "I think we know within the squad that we have a lot of players that have been to tournaments and performed at the level and know what is required."We have other players who are playing well and in form at this moment, and we have to balance that when we are picking our team."Southgate tended to stick with experience at the back with Maguire, Eric Dier and Conor Coady favoured to quicker defenders like Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi and Joe Gomez. The 52-year-old kept it simple when it came to explaining the thinking behind this decision. He said: "We don't think the young ones have done quite enough to push the older ones out."We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/footballStay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport - the official Daily Express &){kind=link}
England boss Gareth Southgate has described Harry Maguire as ‘one of England’s best centre-backs’ after naming him in his 26-man squad for the World Cup. The Manchester United captain has been badly out of form in recent weeks but is still one of the favourites to line-up in the backline for the Three Lions against Iran. England boss Gareth Southgate has hit back at Harry Maguire’s critics. (Image: Sky Sports)Maguire has fallen out of favour with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford after suffering an alarming drop off in form over the last 12 months. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have been the Dutchman’s pairing of choice with many calling for the 29-year-old to be left out of the squad as a result. However, Southgate never really seemed likely to leave out the player who has reserved his best form for England over the past few years. Upon naming his squad he hit back at those who had been critical of the defender. “He is one of our best centre-backs,” he told reporters while explaining his selection. “I think we know within the squad that we have a lot of players that have been to tournaments and performed at the level and know what is required.”We have other players who are playing well and in form at this moment, and we have to balance that when we are picking our team.”Southgate tended to stick with experience at the back with Maguire, Eric Dier and Conor Coady favoured to quicker defenders like Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi and Joe Gomez. The 52-year-old kept it simple when it came to explaining the thinking behind this decision. He said: “We don’t think the young ones have done quite enough to push the older ones out.”We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/footballStay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.
England boss Gareth Southgate hits back at Harry Maguire critics
Sourceexpress.co.uk
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