Man Utd star gets promising verdict on achieving special goal by end of season

View 3 Images

Alan Shearer has backed Harry Maguire to potentially earn a space in the England squad for next year's World Cup . The Red Devils defender has been in fine form under Ruben Amorim this season, playing a key role in recent victories over Sunderland and Liverpool .

Despite currently being out of favour with Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel , Newcastle United legend Shearer is confident that it may not be long before Maguire is back in the national set-up. In conversation with Betfair , Shearer said: "I think Maguire's got an amazing attitude; I love how nothing seems to affect him - he goes out and you know what you're going to get.

"You know he gives his all - he may make an error every now and then, but who doesn't? I love his attitude towards that, whether it's going well or not.

"I suppose he can make a late play for the England squad - knowing his attitude, he'd never rule it out. He's got to get in, stay in and be a regular in the Man United team to show what we saw last weekend, every weekend.

"I guess the answer is that you could never rule it out and I don't think he would either. He would expect if he was to continue playing the way he is, then he might get it. He might get the call-up, you never know."

With 64 caps under his belt throughout his professional football journey so far, Maguire was a regular fixture in the England setup under Gareth Southgate . But he was axed from the nation's Euro 2024 squad due to a calf problem combined with patchy performances, reports the Manchester Evening News .

Reflecting on being left out, Maguire said at the time: "To miss out was tough. It has been really frustrating, working all season to get myself mentally and physically at the top of my game and be in a position to feel I could really make a difference for Manchester United and my country."

View 3 Images

Whilst he hasn't pulled on the England shirt since last September's Nations League triumph over Ireland , many believe the 32-year-old could earn a recall for Tuchel's maiden major tournament with England at the 2026 World Cup.

Maguire has been a standout performer in Amorim's team lately, featuring in seven Premier League matches this season. The defender came off the bench to help secure a 2-0 victory against Sunderland at Old Trafford before the international break, then started in the dramatic 2-1 triumph over bitter rivals Liverpool last weekend.

In that encounter, Maguire netted the decisive goal with a commanding header at the far post, demonstrating how he retains the ability to influence matches despite approaching the latter stages of his career. The spotlight will be on the centre-half as Manchester United welcome Brighton to their home ground on Saturday evening.

View 3 Images

The Red Devils are currently in ninth place in the Premier League table with four victories, three defeats and a draw from their first eight matches, and they're keen to ascend the ranks when they take on Fabian Hurzeler's Seagulls.

As it stands, Brighton are just one point and one position behind United in 10th, thanks to a varied start to their own season. However, they enter the fray with momentum, having not lost in their last four Premier League matches.