Maguire hits back

HARRY Maguire has defended his selection for England for their 1-0 defeat by Italy, which saw them get relegated from the top tier of the UEFA Nations League.

The 29-year-old was backed by Gareth Southgate, but his place in the Three Lions starting line-up has come under scrutiny after falling behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in the Manchester United pecking order.

The Red Devils captain, however, insists he is ready to play whenever called upon. He told talkSPORT: ‘I feel fit and fresh. On my form, I don’t know what has been said, I don’t really read about it.

‘I came off the back of three positive games with England in the summer, and a good pre-season, I felt really good.’

He added: ‘I went into the Euros after an eight-week injury and got into the team of the tournament.’