Gareth Southgate backs Harry Maguire and outlines Manchester United hope

Gareth Southgate has backed Harry Maguire to earn more minutes for Manchester United after injuries at the back for Erik ten Hag.

Raphael Varane is on the sidelines and missed the defeat to Arsenal last weekend. United also lost both Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof in that game through injury and illness respectively.

That gave Maguire his first minutes of the season in the closing stages at the Emirates Stadium. Despite a lack of match action, Southgate still selected him for the England squad.

The Three Lions boss has been pleased with Maguire's training levels and is hopeful he will now get more of an opportunity with Erik ten Hag's side. Maguire is expected to start against Ukraine on Saturday evening.

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“He’s looked good. He’s training with top players every day,” said Southgate. “Obviously he got into the game the other day at a critical point, so as a defender that’s not ideal, to come into a game at that situation.

“But of course, he’s a very experienced player and he’s looked very good in training. Harry knows where our support is.

“He knows he has to keep playing well for us and I think over the next few weeks given what’s happening with their squad with injuries he may well have a lot more minutes for them as well.”

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