Harry Maguire hopeful of being fit at Euro 2020

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is optimistic about being ‘involved’ for England at Euro 2020 this summer, despite remaining a doubt for England’s first game against Croatia on 13 June as a result of the ankle injury that prematurely ended his club season.

Maguire suffered ligament damage during a Premier League clash with Aston Villa in early May and went on to miss all of United’s remaining games in 2020/21, including the Europa League final against Villarreal, which his clubmates lost in his absence.

The influential centre-back, who emerged as a Three Lions stars at the 2018 World Cup – despite only recently getting into the national team at that time, was still included in the 26-player squad for this summer’s tournament and is slowly returning to fitness.

Maguire has so far only started light training. But while he is admittedly being careful not to do too much too soon and risk a relapse, he is hopeful there might still be enough time to be ready to face Croatia. Failing that, England will face Czech Republic and Scotland later in the group stage and will have up to seven games to play in total should they reach the final.

“I have done little bits of running,” the player told The Sun. “I don’t want to aggravate it too early as we still have nearly two weeks until the first game and it is a long tournament.

“I am taking it day by day. I have not asked for a time-frame but I am looking forward to being involved. It can improve dramatically in a few days and you can have little setbacks.”

Manager Gareth Southgate said after naming his squad that Maguire still has a ‘bit to do’.

Southgate has flipped between a conventional back four and a back-three defensive system since taking over in 2016. He used a back-three, flanked by wing-backs, at the last World Cup in 2018 and his squad selection this time suggests that is likely again.

Aside from Maguire, Southgate has Conor Coady, Tyrone Mings and John Stones, while Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw both have experience playing as auxiliary third centre-backs.

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