England: Maguire a mediocre centre half dropped by his first elite boss, says Simon Jordan

Harry Maguire, a mediocre centre half who is being picked by a man who knows all about being a mediocre centre half, will again be on England’s team sheet on Thursday night.

While, seemingly, Maguire goes into the shop window as a member of Gareth Southgate‘s defence in Naples, I do question what the future holds. 

‘Why Maguire has to leave United,’ was one headline at the weekend. I’m not so sure how easily that happens.

His direction of travel this season is not a positive one. Think about it. For the first time in his career, Maguire has an elite manager determining his future. 

And for the first time in his career, he isn’t being picked. What does that tell you about all those involved? Good enough for Southgate, not in the frame for Erik ten Hag.

The defender is a regular for his country despite not playing regularly for Manchester United

Club captain Maguire has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford under boss Erik ten Hag (right)

He remains the world’s most expensive defender, but he took advantage of the landscape of mediocrity that existed at United before this fella came. Really, he is a pumped-up, decent, mid-ranking central defender.

The best he can do if he is moving away from United is a transfer shift sideways at best, or to go backwards, more likely.

But Sportsmail columnist Simon Jordan has hailed his determination to turn things around

So I imagine he will have to be dragged out kicking and screaming from Old Trafford.

And while I don’t admire him completely as a player, he, at least, seems determined to try and change the narrative at his club and play his part, rather than taking a giant step towards oblivion at somewhere like West Ham.

He wants to play and prove his point. We are not talking Winston Bogarde here. Or Ryan Fraser.

He hasn’t thrown the baby out with the bath water. He has been prepared to play, when asked. And I’d much rather that than a player, like Fraser, who I once…