Southgate explains decision for picking Man Utd defender as best in England
England boss, Gareth Southgate has disclosed that struggling Manchester United defender, Harry Maguire is the best defender in the England squad at the moment, insisting that he will pick him ahead of other defenders for his international games.
On a different occasion, Southgate said he will not hesitate to select the Manchester United man for the country’s senior national team as there is currently no one better than him.
The England boss picked Maguire for England Nations League matches against Italy and Germany and the decision has caused a lot of talking since the 29-year-old is only a bench warmer at Old Trafford this season.
After starting for the Red Devils in their defeats to Brighton and Brentford earlier in the season, Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag has dropped the former Leicester City star to the bench.
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The Dutchman now prefers Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane combination in his backline and the decision has yielded positive results.
There have been calls for the Man United defender to be dropped from the national team, but Southgate believes Maguire is still one of the top English defenders.
“You always have to back your judgment and we feel he is an important player,” Southgate told reporters.
“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 is our most dominant aerial center-back. He and John [Stones] are incredible with the ball.”
