Maguire completes England
HARRY Maguire insists he never feared for his England career after a turbulent year on and off the pitch that will see him aim to make amends against Denmark in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 today.
Eleven months ago, the Manchester United captain found himself locked up in a Greek jail for two days after a post-season holiday went wrong.
Maguire, 28, was given a suspended 21-month sentence after being found guilty of assaulting a police officer, swearing, resisting arrest and bribery during an incident in Mykonos.
He always protested his innocence and launched an appeal which nullifies the verdict and means he has no criminal record ahead of a full retrial.
The incident just days after the end of the delayed 2019/20 season had consequences that rolled into the new season.
He was dropped for England’s Nations League ties with Iceland and Denmark in September and looked like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
United conceded 12 goals in their first three Premier League games, while his England return in October saw him sent off for two yellow cards after just 31 minutes as Denmark won 1-0 at Wembley thanks to a Christian Eriksen penalty.
The two sides meet again in very different circumstances today.
Denmark are riding an emotional wave after the shock of Eriksen’s cardiac arrest in their opening game.
But in stark contrast to their last encounter behind closed doors, England will have 60 000 fans on their side and one of their key players back to his best.
Maguire scored with a bullet header as England stormed into the last four with a 4-0 win over Ukraine in Rome on Saturday, registering a seventh consecutive clean sheet in the process to set a national record.
“I never felt for my international career. I always felt I had something to bring and offer,” said Maguire.
“Without getting into too much detail of what went off in the summer, I knew where I stood on that. I always knew what went off. I’m totally over it, it was a tough time, for sure, but I’ve moved on.”
As Maguire’s form improved, so did United’s as they briefly threatened a title challenge early in 2021 before falling back to finish second in the Premier League to Manchester City.
However, it was in his absence for the final weeks of the season that his importance was fully appreciated.
Ankle ligament damage in May meant Maguire missed the Europa League final, which United lost to Villarreal on a penalty shootout.
He was also a major doubt for the European Championship, but Gareth Southgate waited on him even though the former Leicester City defender was not fit until the third group game.
“He picked me to make my debut and then I think ever since I’ve been available I’ve pretty much played in every game possible,” added Maguire on Southgate’s backing over the past year.
“That gives me great confidence and belief and trust going into the game to enable me to perform to my best. Every time I step onto the pitch I’m trying to repay the faith and the trust, because every time I go onto the pitch I want to do my best for the country.”