Harry Maguire is still an issue for Gareth Southgate, but he is not the biggest one… the England manager’s headaches are only growing worse as the World Cup approaches.
On the enormous screen at halftime at dear old outdated San Siro, the words Grazie Milano were displayed. Thank You Milan. Wherefore? For arriving? For staying? For not being ungrateful?
Both could have been suitable. This international football match was deplorable for a lengthy period of time. Up in the heavens behind one goal, though, something else was occurring as England and Italy players drank water at halftime. The England supporters were singing Harry Maguire’s praises.
It has been quite some time since the England defender has heard such a statement. His recent trajectory with Manchester United has been such that he must have stopped reading reviews a long time ago.
Generally, things have been different in his country. Maguire did not perform well for United prior to the European Championship last summer, but he did for Gareth Southgate during the tournament.
He is currently not playing any football for United. New manager Erik ten Hag has sacked him. But Southgate remains committed, saying the night before this game that he has no other options, and he was partially rewarded here in Milan.
Once again, England performed poorly here, and their World Cup hopes continue to diminish as winter approaches. Five matches without a victory. One goal, a penalty, was scored. It is deplorable in the context of Southgate’s previous performance.
However, England conceded just one goal with Maguire in the heart of a three-man defense, and it was a really nice goal that came out of nowhere. After a shaky start, Maguire had a satisfactory evening. Undoubtedly, when Southgate evaluates his team’s issues prior to Monday’s match against Germany, the performance of his back three will not be at the top of a growing list of issues.
The beginning of Maguire’s night could have been lifted from his United lowlights tape. When given the opportunity to play in the Premier League, his playing has been marked by a lack of conviction and an inability to make sound judgments.
At his finest, Maguire defends with confidence and relies equally on instinct and discipline. However, he has not been in this state for some time, and he was ponderous in the opening stages.