Harry Maguire: The Unbreakable Rock for England's Success

In his most recent We column, Paul Merson affirms that Harry Maguire has consistently proven his reliability for the England team. Merson passionately defends the Manchester United defender in light of the recent criticism and jeering he has endured. During England's 3-1 victory over Scotland, Maguire entered the pitch as a substitute during half-time, only to face incessant jeers from the Hampden Park home crowd whenever he had possession of the ball. Additionally, he unfortunately scored an own goal in the second half.

Gareth Southgate was furious with the way the Manchester United defender was treated and expressed his disappointment, calling it "absolutely ridiculous." The England manager attributed the incident to the behavior of individuals within their own country, holding them responsible for Scottish fans targeting Maguire. In response, Maguire himself has addressed the situation, stating that he is capable of dealing with any criticism he receives. Additionally, he views the support and pressure from his teammates as beneficial.

Speaking exclusively to We, here's the Magic Man's take on a topic that has been taking all the headlines this week...

'Maguire has never let England down'

Harry Maguire is an exceptional player, performing at an impressive caliber and proudly representing his country. Unfortunately, he is facing unwarranted criticism from individuals who cannot match his skill level.

I must admit that I was initially skeptical when he joined Manchester United, but my opinion has drastically changed. I now hold immense admiration for him as a player and the remarkable achievements he has accomplished, especially on the international stage. Maguire has consistently proven his loyalty and reliability to both England and Gareth Southgate, never faltering.

Despite scoring an own goal against Scotland, he unfortunately had no control over the outcome. Every mistake he makes is closely analyzed for an extended period of time.

Yet, his performance improved significantly after the own goal. He managed to retain possession of the ball throughout the match against Scotland, showcasing his remarkable mental resilience and ability to handle immense pressure and scrutiny.

'Southgate trusts Maguire; We aren't blessed with other options'

Should Gareth have come out and defended Maguire like that? I'm not so sure.

Maguire is mature and strong enough to handle any challenges that come his way, but Gareth likely felt the need to take action. He wished to establish a boundary because he intends to continue selecting him.

Currently, we don't have an abundance of central defenders. John Stones is injured. Lewis Dunk and Marc Guehi have performed well in recent games, and Levi Colwill has yet to receive international recognition.

The Euros are approaching, leaving limited time for Southgate to provide new players with ample caps and the essential experience required for a major tournament. Maguire, a key player for Southgate, is highly trusted.

'Maguire gets in Southgate's best team'

That's how the game works. Gareth Ackerman understands it well. If he were a player, he would be extremely frustrated if he performed exceptionally for Aston Villa but someone else was chosen to represent England. However, as a manager, he develops trust in his players. This is the case with Gareth and Jordan Pickford, along with other players. They have proven their capabilities and loyalty to him, and in return, he reciprocates that loyalty.

What is the reason for Gareth not selecting him? He has always been reliable when it comes to playing for England.

I can comprehend if, for instance, Kalvin Phillips wasn't chosen. He does not belong to Man City and isn't exactly a prominent player for the national team when considering the selection of the finest players.

But with Harry, he secures a spot in England's top team led by Southgate.

He has played a significant role in guiding them to the semi-finals of the World Cup, reaching the final of the Euros, and making it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, despite ultimately losing on penalties. He was a member of Gareth's World Cup squad.

Should Maguire have left Man Utd?

It appears that Harry and Gareth engaged in a discussion. It is likely that assurances were made to Harry regarding his position in the England team if he remained at Manchester United. Undoubtedly, a conversation took place, and ultimately, Harry opted against joining West Ham.

I believed that Maguire would have been a good fit for West Ham. Earlier, I discussed how United's style of play, with their defense pushing forward, did not exactly complement Harry's strengths. I felt that a move to West Ham, who tend to play deeper, would have been ideal for him. Given that he is not the fastest player, he would have felt more at ease under David Moyes.

Should Maguire consider relocating? He may have his own justifications for staying put, but as we all know, football is an unpredictable sport. A couple of injuries could entirely alter his situation at Old Trafford. In fact, would anyone have predicted that Maguire would end up teaming up with Jonny Evans to defend Man Utd's goal against Arsenal in the second half? The future is uncertain, and one can never anticipate what lies ahead.

Is the Maguire situation too much of a distraction for England?

I believe it is not the case. They have essentially secured their spot in the European Championships scheduled for next summer. They will participate in Germany once again, and Maguire has consistently featured in Southgate's team.

What is the problem? Take a look at England's impressive performance under Gareth's leadership, which surpasses our recent accomplishments.

Gareth possesses a resilient personality. He is confident in his thoughts and will not be easily swayed.

Maguire will continue to be included in future England squads, including the upcoming Euros. We should trust Gareth to perform his job without interference, as it is a challenging task that he has handled competently thus far.

Maguire's one of his key men and that's not going to change because of a few boos and ironic cheers.