Harry Maguire says he’s feeling good after successfully navigating a second England game on his return from injury. Maguire was a rock at the back against the Germans, while he also had two good chances to score at the other end. He was named UEFA’s star of the match and praised his teammates after the game.
Harry Maguire said: “It’s a magnificent moment for me, the team, the fans and the country. It’s been a tough couple of years for everyone in the country, we know everyone is enjoying it and the feeling. We’re not done. We had to brave on and off the ball, take the ball under pressure. We changed formation to not give them easy possession so we wanted to go man for man across the pitch. We executed it well apart from the opening 10 minutes when we were a little bit shaky and gave the ball away. I’m sure everyone will enjoy the experience, but learn from it as well.”
Maguire also gave an update on his physical condition after his period out, and praised United’s role in getting him fit for the Euros.
Harry Maguire explained: “It’s been a tough couple of months for myself, to miss the Europa League final and whether I’d be fit for the euros. Full credit to the medical staff at Manchester United and England who got me ready for this game and last. I feel good but I was tired, which is expected. I haven’t trained that much and played for seven weeks, but I’ll improve and get my fitness to where I should be. As a player and a team we’re feeling good.”
Maguire also praised his defensive colleagues for England, as well as manager Gareth Southgate, for their character so far at Euro 2020.
Harry Maguire said: “We’ve got excellent defenders in this country, sometimes with all the scrutiny in the Premier League and people pick on the slightest things,” he said. But we have excellent defenders in this country and an excellent goalkeeper who every time he’s put on an England shirt has been brilliant. Probably the goalkeeping number one spot for England is the most scrutinised position in world football, but no I think we have excellent players. It comes from Gareth and how he set us up and the players up front. How many times did we see Raheem [Sterling] track back and defend. Clean sheets are nice for defenders, but the most important thing is winning football matches.”
