DESERVES RESPECT

Pickford urges fans to back United defender Maguire and insists he will be vital to England’s hopes at this tournament

to go ahead of tomorrow’s showdown with United States.

“Harry has done unbelievable,” Pickford went on.

“There was a pass for the first goal, then the assist with the set-piece and he maybe could have got us a penalty.

“Myself and Harry have a great relationship. The majority of my caps have been with Harry playing in front of me and we work really well together.

“Our defensive record with Harry playing there is really good as well and he is in a very good moment.”

Clearly, on the back of that emphatic opening victory, Maguire is not the only one in a good moment.

In that victory over Iran, England had 13 attempts on goal – seven of which were on target, six of which were goals. And every day, Pickford gets firsthand experience of how lethal England’s attacking play can be.

He said: “They are unbelievable – each and every one of them. If we are doing shooting drills, attacking drills, they are ruthless.

“Sometimes you can’t save them but you are up against the best so when you do save them you feel good about yourself and have a buzz. Top strikers in the world like Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford get the best out of you.”

After a precautionary scan on an ankle knock, Kane is fit to play in England’s second game.

And once again, Pickford paid tribute to the way Kane leads this group of England players, saying: “Harry is an unbelievable player, he sets the example in the squad, he’s a leader, he’s the captain and we all look up to him.”