Man Utd captain Maguire among England's top two defenders - Southgate

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Man Utd captain Maguire among England's top two defenders - Southgate

England coach Gareth Southgate insists Manchester United captain Harry Maguire deserves to keep his place for their Nations League games.

Southgate argues Maguire's stats for 2021-22 warrant his inclusion.

“There's a big change at the club that is going to affect everything there. For me, he is still their best centre back," said the Three Lions boss.

"I am sure their manager will watch the games back and have his own view. For us, he's been consistently, with all our data across the season, amongst our top two or three defenders."

As the Erik ten Hag era launches, there are no guarantees United, who had four players on the the pitch at the end of last summer's Euros final reverse, will provide anything so substantial at the World Cup. Southgate was cautious about a healthy United boosting boost the country's festive ambitions.

He went on: “A good Man Utd doesn't necessarily mean a lot of England players in there. They're going to recruit from around the world."