Harry Maguire changed his name from the one he was given at birth

Harry Maguire’s forename is not the one he was given at birth.

The Manchester United defender is a familiar name to fans even outside of the Premier League. He joined the Red Devils in 2017 and delivered stellar performances for England at the 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

But the 31-year-old’s actual name, given by his parents Alan and Zoe in 1993, is Jacob. Harry is merely his middle name, which he preferred to be called from an early age.

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The exact reason for Maguire’s preference is not clear. And it doesn't appear to be because of any family members sharing the name Jacob.

The former Leicester City and Hull City centre-back’s decision to go by his middle name is not shared by his siblings either. Both Joe and Laurence Maguire still use their actual first names.

But Maguire isn't the only England international, past or present, to actually be called something else. England No.1 Jordan Pickford’s surname was Pigford before his dad opted to change it in order to spare his blushes.

And ex-Manchester City star Joe Hart, who earned 75 caps for England between 2008 and 2017 as a shot-stopper, is actually named Charles Joseph John Hart. The BBC Euro 2024 pundit has a simpler explanation for opting for his middle name, however, using ‘Joe' to distinguish him from his father, also named Charles.

It's difficult to imagine anyone referring to either player now as Charles or Jacob. And it seems Maguire’s team-mates agree, having famously dubbed him "Slabhead" and "Dennis the Menace".

He was initially named in England's provisional 33-man squad for