'New challengers' - Gareth Southgate sends England warning to Harry Maguire amid Manchester United uncertainty

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Gareth Southgate has defended his decision to keep picking Harry Maguire but insists there are 'some good young centre-backs' ready to challenge for his England place.

Maguire has continued to feature regularly for England over the past year despite his dwindling influence at Manchester United.

The 30-year-old has arguably dropped to fifth-choice centre-back under Erik ten Hag and was stripped of the captaincy last month.

However he started every game at the World Cup in Qatar and kept his place during international breaks in March and June. And Southgate insists the Reds man has earned his spot but warned no one is guaranteed a place, with plenty of 'new challengers' gaining experience. Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN’s Man United app packed with premium features? Click here ALSO READ: United have four players preparing for their final audition this weekend “It depends on how other players at other clubs are playing,” Southgate told TalkSPORT. “I can never guarantee to a player that we are going to pick them. “We have [picked Maguire] until this point because in comparison with other players in this position in terms of experience, quality on the ball, aerial presence, balance and the relationship he and John Stones have had over a long period of time, its partnership that's worked brilliantly for us and we recognise that. “But there's always new challengers coming through.