England manager Gareth Southgate has defended Harry Maguire and criticized pundits for their “ridiculous” treatment of the Manchester United defender.

Maguire has been under fire for his performances for both club and country in recent months, but Southgate believes that the criticism has been unfair.

“There has been ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time — it’s a joke,” Southgate said. “I’ve never known a player treated the way he is by our own pundits. It’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”

Southgate went on to say that Maguire is a “world-class” player and that he is “proud” to have him in his squad.

“Harry is a top player and he’s got my full support,” Southgate said. “He’s a world-class defender and he’s a big part of our plans.”

Maguire’s form has improved in recent weeks, and he was one of England’s best players in their recent 1-1 draw with Germany.

Southgate’s comments are a welcome boost for Maguire, who has been struggling with his confidence in recent months. It is clear that Southgate believes in Maguire’s ability, and hopefully this will help the defender to rediscover his best form.

It is also important to note that Southgate’s criticism of the pundits is justified. Maguire has been subjected to some incredibly harsh criticism in recent months, much of which has been unfair. Pundits should be more mindful of their words, and they should remember that Maguire is a human being who is trying his best.

Maguire is a talented player who has achieved a lot in his career. He deserves to be treated with respect, and he should not be subjected to the kind of abuse that he has been subjected to in recent months.