"They think it was just going to be a walk in the park" - Maguire defends Southgate from critics

Harry Maguire's last few years have been turbulent. His serious mistakes cost him harsh criticism that further dented the confidence of the centre-back, who only found comfort in the England national team. His Euro 2021 and the support of Gareth Southgate were the safe conduct of the man from Sheffield, who far from being upset about missing the tournament in Germany has defended the English coach.
Speaking to 'BBC Sport', the 31-year-old defender said expectations of the England game were unrealistic. "The performances may not have been amazing, but it is tournament football. It is not as expansive. There are far less risks taken. You can’t afford to make mistakes or get caught going out in a full press. You saw throughout the tournament there were not many high-scoring wins," he explained.
Maguire blames the press for the success of that narrative: "I just don’t know what the media or fans expected of this team. Was it to go and beat Serbia 4-0 in the first game and then beat Denmark 3-0? Did they think it was just going to be a walk in the park?"
After the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Maguire was dropped down the pecking order at Manchester United, playing a key role in the Red Devils defeat to Sevilla in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Although he regained a bit of prominence last year, in May he suffered a new injury that kept him out for the whole month. Circumstances that ended up leaving him out of the Euro 2024 squad.
"To miss out was tough," explained the former England captain. ‘"It has been really frustrating, working all season to get myself mentally and physically at the top of my game and be in a position to feel I could really make a difference for Manchester United and my country," he lamented.