England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has responded to critics, claiming that negative stories about him are only written for “clicks.”
Maguire played the entire 90 minutes in England’s 1-0 defeat to Italy in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, which relegated Gareth Southgate’s team to the competition’s second tier.
The 29-year-old who has not started for United in the Premier League since their 4-0 defeat to Brentford last month, insisted that he deserved his place in England’s starting lineup after their loss to Italy.
In a defiant interview on talkSPORT, he said:
“I am all good, ready to play, 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.
“Obviously, the manager [Erik ten Hag] decided to leave me out for a game, and the team have been winning since.
“I am working hard on the training pitch to make sure I am ready for when my opportunity comes. That is all what I can do to try and help the team.
“I am not concentrating on anybody else and what people are saying, I think if people can make a story about me, I am Manchester United captain, it is going to make big news.
“So, that is the reason they do it, they like the clicks, and things like that, but I went into the Euros after an eight-week injury, and did not play one game, and got into the team of the tournament.
“In terms of rustiness, and things like that, I am sure that won’t happen.”
The Red Devils captain has been in poor form for some time, but Southgate appears to be sticking with him for the World Cup in November.
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