'It Can't Continue For Ever' Southgate Warns Maguire Over Lack Of Playing Time At United

Gareth Southgate has admitted his loyalty to Harry Maguire will be difficult to maintain if the England defender continues to remain on the sidelines at Manchester United.

- Jacob Steinberg

England's manager, who has omitted Raheem Sterling for next month's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, described Maguire's situation as "concerning". The defender has effectively been relegated to fifth-choice centre-back at United this season and Southgate, who also challenged the terms of Ivan Toney's eight-month ban for a breach of the Football Association's betting rules, made it sound as if the 30-year-old's place could depend on him moving this summer.

Southgate has repeatedly stood by Maguire, picking the defender even when he has been struggling at club level. Yet there is growing competition in defence, with Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings and Brighton's Lewis Dunk handed recalls after impressive seasons, and there was a shift in tone from Southgate as he discussed Maguire yesterday and acknowledged that the defender has started only three times for United since the March international break.

"Inevitably it's not a situation that can continue for ever," Southgate said. "It's like Kalvin Phillips. They are important players for us and with Kalvin we haven't got many players who can play as that single pivot. Of course the longer that situation goes on the more concerning it is and we've got, in Marc Guéhi, Lewis Dunk, Tyrone Mings, players who are playing well without the same experiences of club European football or international football. But we've got to keep searching for competition in that area of the pitch."