England boss Southgate willing to put 'reputation' on the line for under-fire Man Utd defender Maguire

• Defender benched at Man Utd
• Selected by Three Lions
• Has full support of national coach

WHAT HAPPENED? The Manchester United defender has been called up for Nations League duty with his country despite enduring struggles at club level that have led to him being dropped to the bench. Questions have been asked, with the 2022 World Cup fast approaching, of whether Maguire should still be a go-to option for the Three Lions, but Southgate insists he has full faith in a player that has grown accustomed to silencing doubters.

WHAT THEY SAID: England boss Southgate has said of continuing to select Maguire: “Whatever reputation I have, I’m putting it on there. You always have to back your judgement and we feel he is an important player. If we thought there were experienced players ready to step in and play at a level above him there would be a different consideration and in some positions there would be a different level of competition in that way.

He later added to Channel 4: "There's a big agenda with Harry Maguire and a big agenda against him. I've never known a player receive the sort of treatment that he has. He's been a crucial part of us getting to a World Cup semi-final, he was named in the Team of the Tournament at the Euros."

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Maguire, who formed part of England squads that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 final, has earned 46 caps for the Three Lions since making his senior international debut back in 2017.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

WHAT NEXT FOR MAGUIRE? England are set to face Italy in the Nations League on Friday, and old adversaries Germany on Monday, with Southgate’s side in danger of being relegated from the A section of the competition after going winless through their opening four games.