The experienced centre-half has been out of the England squad for over a year and is out of contract at the end of the season, but he was back to his best form in the Manchester derby.
Harry Maguire was outstanding in United’s victory in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford (Image: Zohaib Alam – MUFC, Manchester United via Getty Images)
Even if Harry Maguire never wins another cap, he will be able to look back on his impressive international career with pride. He played like a talisman as England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, and was instrumental in helping England reach the final of Euro 2021, scoring in the quarter-finals against Ukraine.
He started every game at the 2022 World Cup and has made 64 appearances for England, scoring seven goals, not bad for a defender. But his last game in an England shirt was all the way back in early September 2024, under caretaker manager Lee Kearsley.
Injuries have prevented him from achieving his goals, but it is clear that he is not at the top of Thomas Tuchel’s defensive pecking order. However, while an England manager is unlikely to base his decision on a single performance, Maguire’s outstanding performance in the Manchester derby should put the 32-year-old defender back in the international spotlight.
read more: Manchester United announce January transfer in club statementread more: Paul Scholes accepts offer for Lisandro Martinez as Manchester United war of words intensifies
And it could well change United’s stance on Maguire’s future. His contract expires at the end of the season and it was strongly suggested that he would be allowed to leave on a free transfer.
However, Michael Carrick is a big Maguire fan and his decision to start him against City proved an emotional one. Maguire headed a clearance and Brian Mbeumo scored, keeping Erling Haaland quiet along with Lisandro Martinez, so Josep Guardiola replaced the Norwegian striker.
Thomas Tuchel is yet to include Harry Maguire in his England squad (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Carrick praised Maguire, saying, “I felt this was a game for experience and finding out what it feels like. Big credit to H (Maguire) and what he did. Sometimes we take players’ actions for granted, but for him to play today and come through with it…”
“I’m not going to lie, it was a little bit of a calculated gamble on how long he could play and whether he could get through it. Because he’s been practicing literally two or three days for probably eight or nine weeks. So it just shows that it really means a lot to him. I thought he was great.”
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is a big fan of Harry Maguire (Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
He certainly complemented his flawless defense with his trademark offensive surges. He also came close to scoring early in the game with a header that hit the crossbar.
Tuchel has named five defenders in his final squad who can play centrally. John Stones was among them, but the Manchester City man has only started four games in the Premier League this season and has not featured since coming on as a substitute in the 5-4 win over Fulham on December 2.
John Stones has started just four Premier League games for Manchester City this season (Image: (Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images))
At the moment, it looks like Marc Guehi and Ezra Konsa are probably in the best positions to start at the 2026 World Cup, but there is definitely a reserve spot in the central defensive area. Jarrell Quansah and Dan Byrne, who were named in Tuchel’s final squad, did not have a trouble-free season.
And if Maguire stays healthy, he will almost certainly be a fixture in United’s line-up for the rest of the season. This should present a very welcome dilemma for Tuchel and the Old Trafford hierarchy.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£49
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
