Gary Neville is still backing Manchester City to win the title this season and defend their crown despite the defeat they suffered at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
27.09.2022 - 23:22 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Gary Neville issued a stern defence of Harry Maguire ahead of England’s 3-3 Nations League draw with Germany on Monday night.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate faced criticism for selecting the Manchester United captain in both games despite being dropped by Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. The 29-year-old has lost every Reds game he has started this season and hasn’t begun a league match since the 4-0 defeat to Brentford on August 13.
Maguire had a disappointing display against Germany, being at fault for two goals. The centre-half lost the ball before fouling Jamal Musiala to give away a penalty for the first goal before being dispossessed while on a marauding run which led to their second.
READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand sends message to Harry Maguire after poor showing for England
Pre-match, Gary Neville had described Maguire as among the best current English centre-backs, explaining that this was why Southgate continues to select him. Speaking to BeanymanSports, he said: “He [Southgate] supports Harry Maguire quite simply because he is one of the best two or three centre-backs in the country.
“We don't have a strong pool of centre-backs. We used to have lots of goalkeepers, lots of centre-backs and we don't have that anymore.
“So we see Eric Dier, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings and a couple more but nothing that really stands out. Harry Maguire's performances for England have been outstanding over a number of years and I can see why he is still selecting him.”
After the draw on Monday, Maguire came out to apologise for his performance, saying: "Mistakes are part of the game, I apologise.” United teammate Luke Shaw - who scored England’s first goal of the night - came to Maguire’s defence post-match.
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Gary Neville is still backing Manchester City to win the title this season and defend their crown despite the defeat they suffered at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
Gary Neville and Paul Scholes agree that Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer a permanent fixture in the Manchester United starting XI under Erik ten Hag - but the two former Old Trafford teammates have different thoughts on how the manager handled that situation throughout the summer months.
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Here are your Manchester United evening headlines on Tuesday, October 4.
Here are your Manchester United morning headlines on Tuesday, October 4.
Manchester United's derby defeat to Manchester City has seen plenty of criticism come their way.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has dismissed suggestions that Brazilian midfielder Casemiro should have started for Erik ten Hag's side against Manchester City on Sunday.
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Gary Neville has admitted he was silent about the Glazers when he was a Manchester United player due to being a club employee.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire was pictured limping with an injury after England played Germany in the Nations League.