(Video) Gareth Southgate backs Harry Maguire after controversial England pick | OneFootball

Harry Maguire is at the centre of attention this evening as he prepares to face Italy with England, having been controversially picked in the squad by manager Gareth Southgate.

Maguire has lost his place at Manchester United, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez forming a seemingly unbreakable bond at his expense.

Southgate still included him in England’s final squad before the World Cup and he is set to start against Italy on Friday night as he sets his sights on the final squad in Qatar.

Speaking ahead of the mouthwatering fixture, a repeat of last year’s final in the European Championship,

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“Maguire and Stones, with Walker, were the defence that got us to the semi-final of the last World Cup and to the final of the Euros,” Southgate told Football Daily, as seen above.

“He was in the team of the tournament, he’s a big player for us and very important.”

Maguire’s performances for England will not affect his standings at Old Trafford but he’s in desperate need of some momentum and he’ll take it anywhere he can get it.

Southgate’s unconditional backing of him will do Maguire the world of good and hopefully he can return to decent from during this international break.