Luke Shaw backs Harry Maguire to get through ‘tough period’
Maguire’s name was greeted with a mixed reception as it was read out before kick-off.
England international Luke Shaw believes his Manchester United teammate Harry Maguire has suffered more abuse than anyone he has come across in football.
Maguire had another difficult night on Monday, making two mistakes as England played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Germany in the UEFA Nations League.
The United captain conceded a penalty for a clumsy challenge on Germany’s Jamal Musiala before being robbed of possession as Chelsea forward Kai Havertz doubled the lead for Hansi Flick’s side.
Shaw scored to make it 2-1 before substitute Mason Mount equalised and a Harry Kane penalty give England the lead late on for the first time in the game. Havertz grabbed a brace just four minutes later to hand Germany a point in a thrilling second half at Wembley.
Southgate backing Maguire
England manager Gareth Southgate continues to keep faith in Maguire ahead of the World Cup despite the defender being left on the Manchester United bench.
“I will be honest, it is a tough period at the moment,” Shaw said when asked by BBC Football Daily about his team-mate.
“Of course Harry is an amazing player, an amazing character. He has taken a lot of stick, probably more than I have ever seen before in football but he never hides away, he is always there.
“You can have people that can hide away and not want to be in the spotlight but he keeps putting himself in the spotlight and it shows the strength and character he has got because, come on, everyone knows that he is an unbelievable player.
“At the moment the confidence might not be there because it might feel like the whole world is against him, it is tough for him but us as players, staff we are all behind him because he is a very important player and it shows Gareth’s trust that he has played in both games.”
Maguire ‘big part’ of England team
Shaw went on to say that the centre-back is an important member of the England team heading to Qatar.
“Look at the Euros and what he has done, people need to understand he is a big part of the England team and they have to accept it,” Shaw added.