Maguire shockingly set to start for England as Southgate also gambles with Bellingham

England manager Gareth Southgate with Harry Maguire

Maguire shockingly set to start for England as Southgate also gambles with Bellingham

Fabian Simiyu 14:19 - 23.09.2022

Harry Maguire will shockingly start for England against Italy in the UEFA Nations League game set to be played today

Harry Maguire will today be in the starting lineup for England when they play against Italy in the UEFA Nations League in Italy with the famous San Siro Stadium hosting the match.

England has accumulated two points from 4 games played, while Italy has 5 points from 4 games played. England must win today's game if they are to progress to the next step.

Harry Maguire hasn't started any Premier League match for United in the last six weeks yet Gareth Southgate will be looking up to him to work out miracles for England at the back.

England defender Harry Maguire scored in a 4-0 thrashing of Ukraine in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals Harry Maguire

Rumors have it that England could be going with a back three with Maguire among them as Southgate looks forward to covering him with the wingbacks.

After confirming that Maguire was going to start for England, Southgate was quick to justify his statement terming Maguire as a good aerial defender.

England manager Gareth Southgate Gareth Southgate

READ: Manchester United fans slam Harry Maguire after his latest utterances

"Whatever reputation I have I’m putting it on there. I think, look, you always have to back your judgment and we feel Harry is an important player. He is our most dominant aerial centre-back. He is an important player for us. I think it’s important to back our best players,” he said.

Maguire's form dropped drastically in the 2021/22 Premier League campaign and he has been an unused substitute in more than three games for Manchester United.

Ivan Toney has on the other hand been dropped from today's squad and he will have to wait again for the next game for him to make his England debut.

Jude Bellingham shows his frustration as Borussia Dortmund drew 1-1 at Bochum Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham will also be handed some minutes in the tank with Southgate praising him and stating that his influence, confidence, and his abilities have really grown and he could be an asset today.

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