“Amazing player” – Harry Maguire reveals he told Man United to sign England teammate

Harry Maguire has explained that he told Manchester United to sign his England teammate after his first Three Lions camp.

Maguire, 31, will head into his fourth international tournament with England after being key at the last two World Cups and Euro 2020.

The United centre-back goes into this tournament with more credit in the bank than in recent England call-ups. Last season, Gareth Southgate received criticism for selecting the defender despite being out of the team at Old Trafford.

Now, Maguire is the clear choice to start the tournament alongside John Stones as long as he can prove full fitness before their opening fixture against Serbia on June 16.

The experienced defender had a solid season at United in 2023/24 but was unable to play in the FA Cup final due to injury. He returned to England camp early this month and ended his family holiday short.

Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham is one of the few England stars yet to appear at St George’s Park. The midfielder instead is preparing for a Champions League final with Real Madrid.

He will soon join Southgate’s squad and will likely be key for England in the tournament. The young talent always seemed destined to lead his nation forward.

Bellingham was aged just 17 when he received his first call-up to the England senior squad in November 2020. He had recently joined Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham City despite serious interest from Old Trafford.

Yet, Maguire explained how he reminded United bosses about Bellingham’s ability when he played alongside him at St George’s Park, but the 20-year-old was destined for the move to the Santiago Bernabéu after his spell in the Bundesliga.

“Jude is an amazing player – a real big leader, a great personality and obviously very talented on the pitch,” Maguire told Sky Sports.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Jude. He came to England, and I knew within one or two sessions how he’d go.

“I went back to my club, and I told them all about him, but he took a different path, and he’s done really well for Real Madrid. I knew he would when he signed there, and long may it continue.”