Harry Maguire has declared he still ranks among the world’s top defenders as he targets one last appearance at the FIFA World Cup with England this summer.
The Manchester United centre-back has been a regular since Michael Carrick took interim charge, featuring for 861 of a possible 900 minutes in the Premier League.
United have climbed to third after winning seven of 10 league matches under Carrick, despite Maguire’s red card in the recent defeat to Bournemouth.
Across the last 10 matchdays, Maguire has won 57 duels, the joint fourth most among defenders. Only Gabriel Magalhaes has a higher duel success rate, with Maguire posting 77 per cent from a minimum of 30 wins. The 33-year-old has also signed a contract extension that keeps him at Old Trafford until June 2027.
“I still believe, even at my age, I’m arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes,” said Maguire. “I don’t think that’s in question really; that I can be really effective later on in games, whether you’re holding on to a lead or trying to chase a game.”
During the recent international break, Maguire started England’s friendly against Uruguay and appeared as a substitute against Japan. He has played 12 matches across the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, helping England reach the semi-finals and quarter-finals. In Russia 2018, he led defenders in both total duels and aerial duels as England finished fourth.
The defender says the next tournament could be his last chance on football’s biggest stage.
“I think it would be my last World Cup,” Maguire added. “I’ve been to two but I missed out on the Euros two years ago through injury, which hurt a lot.
“So, I’m desperate to go, in whatever role the manager would want me for; whether that’s starting or deciding games late on. I still think there’s an important part I can play; that I can help. If the manager believes the same, I’m sure he will pick me.”
