HARRY MAGUIRE has received some good luck texts from Manchester United’s management team — including Erik ten Hag — during this World Cup.
Ironic, really, when you consider Maguire’s problems at Old Trafford have increased tenfold since Ten Hag took over.
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Despite just THREE Premier League starts this season, and major concerns over his lack of game time going into this tournament, the defender has been one of Gareth Southgate’s best players.
During those first four games for the Three Lions, he has shown some cojones to shrug off the worst spell of his career and hit the ground running as England reach for the stars.
Maguire, preparing for Saturday’s quarter-final against France, said: “I’m 29 years old, the captain of Man Utd and have made 52 appearances for my country, so when I look back on my career, I put everything into perspective.
“I’m living the dream. I’m doing everything I always wanted to do. So for the next stage of my career, I want to start winning trophies.
“The last year has been difficult and I haven’t played as well as I’ve done in the previous five years at the top level.
“But during a career, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are probably the only two who’ve not had a dip.
“It’s a 15-year career, if you’re lucky. There’s no way, especially with all the scrutiny that’s on defences these days, you’re not going to have dips.
“As a player, you want to play. I’ve been used to playing throughout my career.
“This is the first year that I’ve really sat on a bench in a few games.
“I obviously got an injury as well, a thigh injury that kept me out for four weeks. But I’ll fight to get my place back at United.”
For Maguire, though, it has not been about silencing his critics — just performing for his country.
He added: “I don’t think that I’ve proved a point out here.
“I was in the Euros team of the tournament so I know what I’m capable of.
“I’ve not hid away from the last year. It’s been difficult, but I always knew and had great belief in myself that I’d find my form and regain my confidence and my focus.
“I’m really happy it’s happened at the biggest tournament.
“Now, I feel in a good place. I feel good mentally, I feel good physically. I feel fresh and I’m just looking forward to a big game on Saturday.”
Maguire has been showcasing his mental toughness in the Werewolf deception-based card games the Three Lions stars are hooked on playing in Qatar.
And he added: “I’m quite good at psychology to be honest. I’ve needed to be over the last year or so!”
For Maguire has been forced to deal with some pretty vicious criticism.
Many people — including former players — claimed he should not even have been allowed on the England plane, let alone in the starting line-up.
He added: “I listen to people around me like my family and friends. My team-mates, the staff here.
“I know how valued they see me and I feel it within the camp and squad.
“So that gives me great belief and confidence. I go back to my past memories and performances at tournaments.
“When there is a squad decided or team picked for England, there are always players who ‘shouldn’t be playing’.
“That’s why Gareth has such a hard job, because there’s a lot of talent who could play. It’s about my belief and listening to those around me.”
A quarter-final against France – the world champions, some the favourites… these are the games we play for
Harry Maguire
Maguire, revealing his texts from Manchester, said: “While I am away, they want me to focus fully on England.
“But I have had a couple of nice texts from them saying how well I’ve performed and congratulations on reaching the quarter-finals. It’s nice.
“I am sure they’ll be watching the games but Erik will be supporting the Oranje army. It is good to feel the support of them.”
The central defender has excelled for England out here.
And despite being caught out for the first Iranian goal he was immediately substituted as he felt unwell.
Against Senegal, both he and John Stones were guilty of some stray passes but their team’s attacking strength took the opposition apart.
Clearly, France’s 23-year-old superstar Kylian Mbappe will be a different prospect.
Maguire, who will be bursting with pride when the national anthem begins on Saturday, said: “Mbappe is a wonderful player.
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“He’s had an amazing tournament, he’s one of the best in the world. But we’d be naive to just focus on one player.
“He is a big player for the team but they also have so many different talents as well.
“I think Olivier Giroud is the top goalscorer, Ousmane Dembele is playing really well on the other wing.
“You’ve got Antoine Griezmann, too, so there’s so many different players they can bring in and affect the game.
“But we come into these big tournaments and our defensive record is always good. It’s three clean sheets so far, so we’ve got to take great belief in what we’ve done as a defence so far.
“It is a huge game. I am just super proud every time I sing that anthem.
“It is one of the proudest moments of my life. You just can’t really explain the feeling.
“You are focused, nervous and excited. You have butterflies but, for sure, I’ll be ready to go.
“A quarter-final against France — the world champions. Some people say the favourites to win the competition.
“But these are the games we play for. These are the games growing up that you want to be involved in.
“They are huge pressure games but this is the pressure you want. This is where we need to deliver.”
