Rio Ferdinand has admitted Harry Maguire immediately expelled his doubts about the Manchester United captain playing for England at the World Cup.
Maguire 's struggles with United have continued this season and he now finds himself fourth in Erik ten Hag's centre-back pecking order behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof. Despite his poor performances at club level, Gareth Southgate never doubted picking him for his Three Lions World Cup squad.
The England boss' faith has already been repaid as Maguire has once again put in a string of fine performances at the back to help his nation finish top of their group and sail into the knockout stages. Ferdinand has revealed he did question whether Maguire should be starting but his fellow centre-back has already proven him wrong.
"This World Cup has been a test of Harry Maguire's character as well as his ability - and he has shown everyone he has plenty of both," he wrote for the BBC. "His struggles at Manchester United were a big concern for me before the tournament because your form doesn't change just because you put on a different shirt.
"Maguire hadn't been playing much for United this season and when he did come into the team he looked nervous and a long way off the level we are used to seeing him play at for England. The amount of criticism he was getting was way over the top, but you can't get away from the fact he had not been anywhere near his best for several months.
"That meant he came to this World Cup with his international place under scrutiny too, but any doubts I had about whether he should be playing for England in Qatar were answered straight away. The first game, against Iran, was a pivotal moment. If he had been shaky there for whatever reason, then this might have turned into a very different tournament for him.
"But he made a positive start, got on the ball and got some belief back - and he has kept on building his confidence in every game since then. He was our best player against the United States, when he showed what an excellent defender he is when the ball comes into our box, and looked extremely composed against Wales too."
Miwacemnrt
0
maguire plays centreback for england what u mean he has no pressure he is far to slow for England and he will be caught out tonight
Not wrong he got caught out multiple times he lost the ball by being slow, when he’s not passing left or right his forward passes aren’t great and against Senegal we saw that,not one good forward pass. he got beat for pace 3 times in the early minutes by Senegal players who weren’t even running hard. He is a liability I fear when they play France the speed and quality will be too much for him he’s gonna get exposed again.
juadlotuz
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Man United need to sign replacement for maguire
juadlotuz
0
Maguire is no body
Maybdloru
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MAGUIRE Has No Pressure On Him When He Plays For England, Different When The Pressure Ramps Up When He's Expected To Deliver Trophies For Man Utd⚽️ #SLABHEADMAGUIREOUT #GLAZERSOUT
maguire plays centreback for england what u mean he has no pressure he is far to slow for England and he will be caught out tonight
Maybdloru
0
ferdinand u where just like maguire useless the only thing u do is talk a good game
suudeikmpu
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MAGUIRE Has No Pressure On Him When He Plays For England, Different When The Pressure Ramps Up When He's Expected To Deliver Trophies For Man Utd⚽️ #SLABHEADMAGUIREOUT #GLAZERSOUT
Riebdopryz
0
This is the most boring World Cup ever!!
you mean boring than 2018, where croatia got up to final and get beaten by france 4-2. come on. a final team letting in 4 goals. thats the most and worst world cup than this.
Doclnouyz
1
unfortunately, your always wrong. it is time for you to shut up for a moment.
Wozcnotu
0
Hey stop talking too much show us what you can do England. France does talk too much but they show you how good they are. English talk too much and criticise among themselves that is the downfall of English people.
Valzy109
1
This is the most boring World Cup ever!!
fourthorty430
1
Is it because he's yet to make a mistake or commit a blunder as usual .. He would soon prove wrong again when he starts marking his co defenders and passing to the opponent.. Then you will tell us that he has also proves you wrong of having believe in him
jikbklnoz
0
Senegal will teach football 101 today
KHMMURU07
2
Seriously one good game and boom back to world class status. . . . A criteria according to English Media? Wow!!! For English pundits Maguire 10 bad game is covered up by one good game? . . . . Man no wonder England haven't won a single silverware for past 3 decades.