The much-maligned Manchester United defender is enjoying a welcome revival at the World Cup. This means that Maguire can finally silence his critics.
Maguire has been re-established as an essential part of the team’s defense heading into Sunday’s matchup with Senegal in the round of 16. When Maguire arrived in Qatar with his reputation at a low ebb following a disastrous run of form for both United and England, that scenario appeared improbable.
This season, the 29-year-old has only started five games for United across all competitions, and his few appearances have frequently been marred by more errors.
This year, Maguire’s England performances were barely more convincing, and there were calls for Southgate to drop him from the World Cup team.
However, Maguire has always been one of Southgate’s most trusted players, and the England manager’s decision to stick with his center back paid off as the team finished first in Group B. Maguire was in commanding form as England kept clean sheets in a 3-0 win over Wales and a goalless draw with the United States, and he also posed a threat with his aerial prowess in the 6-2 victory against Iran.
Gary Neville, a former England and United defender was always confident that Maguire would reclaim his best form during the World Cup because he appears to be most at ease in a Three Lions shirt.
“They’ve got a good group, a manager who believes in them and has selected them regularly,” says “He feels better, feels at home.“
During his troubled period, Maguire not only received a torrent of criticism from dissatisfied United supporters but also lost favor with England supporters.
He was booed in March before a friendly against the Ivory Coast and in September before the Nations League match with Germany.
A terrible time This was especially devastating for a devoted England fan who had traveled to support his country at the 2016 Euros.
Maguire has also been distracted by an appeal in a Greek court against a guilty verdict, which will be heard on June 7 of next year.
Following an alleged altercation in Mykonos, he was arrested and given a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days in 2020.
The appeal nullified Maguire’s conviction in accordance with Greek law.
Even though Maguire has sometimes appeared to be under a lot of pressure to play for United, he has mostly been a reliable presence for England.
With Maguire at the center of the defense, England kept five consecutive clean sheets at Euro 2020.
Maguire was selected to the tournament’s team for his impressive performances during England’s run to the final, where they lost to Italy in a heartbreaking penalty shootout.
When the Premier League resumes on December 26, Neville is hopeful that Maguire’s return to form in Doha will help him regain favor with United manager Erik ten Hag.
“Harry is a good player and a good focus back who has been brilliant at the last two competitions. Neville stated, “He’s just had an awful time at United over the last year.”
now. However, I believe he will overcome it at United.“
In the midst of England’s quest to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966, Maguire’s sole focus right now is on writing a chapter in his redemption story that is even more inspiring.