Comment United centre-back is right – he has always been a player England can depend on

The fact is that Harry Maguire has always been outstanding for England at tournaments. He became something of a cult figure – with a song in his honour – at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and was in many people’s team of the tournament.

His performances also helped earn an £85million move to Manchester United the following year. It was after that, though, that things became more difficult.

In 2018 he was playing well for his club, Leicester City, and country. But then, before the European Championship in 2021, there were big questions around his form – a common theme – although Gareth Southgate kept a place open for him despite the defender suffering from an ankle sprain in May.

For most players, that would have ruled them out of the tournament, but Maguire returned to play a key role in England’s run to the final and was selected in the official best XI at the Euros.

Then, in the World Cup in

Qatar, it appeared ridiculous that Maguire retained his place, given he had lost the captaincy at United and was barely playing under Erik ten Hag (below), but once more he excelled.

His partnership with John Stones appears to be crucial. This summer’s Euros will be the fourth tournament in a row in which they have played together at the heart of England’s defence.

The pair bring out the best in each other and, while Stones is clearly the more accomplished and important player, Maguire works well in tandem with him, as has been proved time and again at the highest level.

It is a sign of Maguire’s impressive durability that he has managed to bounce back so often and return such good statistics in tournament football. It is a question he and United should address. For example, with England, he continues to bring the ball out of defence and dribble. With United, he does not.