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• Maguire labels England criticism 'ridiculous' following Euro 2024 display

  Harry Maguire has defended his England team-mates after their performance at Euro 2024, labelling the criticism as "a bit ridiculous".

  England reached back-to-back European Championship finals but suffered the same outcome in Berlin as they did at Wembley three years ago.

  The defeat against Spain saw Gareth Southgate become the first head coach in the history of the tournament to end up on the losing side in two finals. 

  Southgate called time on his eight-year tenure in charge of the Three Lions two days after the tournament ended, winning 59.8% of his 102 games in charge. 

  Despite this, underwhelming performances in Germany saw cups thrown towards the former England head coach as supporters jeered the players.

  Southgate came under fire for his defensive approach, though only Walter Winterbottom (383) and Alf Ramsey (224) have overseen more England goals than his 213.

  However, Maguire has come to the defence of his team-mates. 

  “Yes, performances might not have been amazing but it is tournament football," Maguire told BBC Sport. 

  "It is not as expansive. There are far less risks taken. You can’t afford to make mistakes or get caught going out in a full press. You saw throughout the tournament there were not many high-scoring wins.

  “I just don’t know what the media or fans expected of this team. Was it to go and beat Serbia 4-0 in the first game and then beat Denmark 3-0? Did they think it was just going to be a walk in the park?”

  Under Southgate's stewardship, England reached more major tournament finals in four attempts (two) than they did in their first 23 appearances at the World Cup and Euros (one).

  Maguire played 63 times during Southgate's time in charge, a total only bettered by Harry Kane (81), Kyle Walker (70), Jordan Pickford and John Stones (both 68). 

  Maguire was forced to miss the tournament having picked up an injury in May, forcing him to miss Manchester United's FA Cup success against Manchester City. 

  Euro 2024 was the first major tournament he has missed during his international career, having become a mainstay in central defence alongside Stones. 

  Maguire's 17 appearances at major tournaments saw him keep seven clean sheets, but he insisted that missing out on Euro 2024 was difficult for him to comprehend. 

  "To miss out was tough," said Maguire.

  “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."

• Sesko opts for Leipzig stay over Arsenal, Man Utd move due to progress opportunities

  Benjamin Sesko remains certain that staying at RB Leipzig is the "right decision" to develop his career after turning down reported Premier League interest.

  Slovenia international Sesko joined Leipzig from RB Salzburg in 2023, scoring 14 league goals last campaign, a tally bettered by only seven players in the German top flight.

  That form was said to have attracted Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea to the 21-year-old, who instead signed a new five-year contract with the Bundesliga club last month.

  Having committed his future to life at the Red Bull Arena, the striker believes Leipzig will provide a platform for his progression.

  "I thought it through very well," Sesko said to Nogomania, a Slovenian media outlet. "I believe I made the right decision. I wanted to gain more experience, learn more, and not rush things.

  "Leipzig are an excellent club that can provide what I need for the next step. Leipzig's vision is clear; everything is geared towards growth, progress, and high goals. I felt it was right to decide this way."

  Sesko's new deal could see him stay with Leipzig until 2029, with Marco Rose boasting one of the world's most exciting prospects up top.

  The Leipzig attacker scored from 14 of his 47 shots last season in the league, a conversion rate of 29.8% – the third-best ratio in the 2023-24 Bundesliga among players to have managed at least five goals. 

  That deadly finishing in front of goal will have Rose excited once more, and Sesko says his boss was key to the decision to stay.

  "We talked," Sesko explained. "He told me he wanted me to stay but also said I should decide based on my feelings.

  "He said if I felt I needed to move on, I should go, but if not, I should stay. He's an excellent coach who has led many great players.

  "I'm glad I decided this way. I did it before the Euro to keep a clear head and focus entirely on the championship."

• England captain Stokes backs electric Wood to break 100mph

  Ben Stokes would much rather play alongside Mark Wood than face his England team-mate as he backed the fast bowler to break 100mph soon.

  The Durham quick clocked 97.1mph – the fastest delivery of his Test career – on the speed gun in the second red-ball encounter against the West Indies at Trent Bridge.

  Indeed, none of the 34-year-old's balls registered lower than 90mph during an electrifying opening spell before Wood removed Kevin Sinclair with a vicious delivery on Sunday.

  Sinclair could only fend into the air for a simple dismissal, with the Windies' off-spinner ruled out of the third Test at Edgbaston after that blow fractured his left forearm.

  England captain Stokes believes there is more to come from Wood, which is a worrying warning to the visitors.

  "He's got it in the tank," said Stokes. "He's been close a couple of times. Maybe one day."

  Shoaib Akthar and Shaun Tait are the only Test bowlers to register a delivery at 100mph, with Wood's speed expected to be key for The Ashes in Australia across the end of next year and start of 2026.

  "He seems to be getting closer and closer to that," Stokes added. "But I'm happy with what he's doing right now to be honest.

  "Being able to sustain that pace is quite phenomenal. Look at his average speeds every time he plays a Test match – it's always above 90mph. That says a lot about his fitness.

  "It's all fine and well trying to bowl one spell above 90. But every spell he bowls for England, he's clocking over 90mph, and that's a great thing to have as a captain.

  "I don't know if he's actually too bothered about it. One day, everything might click, or the speed gun might be wrong.

  "We probably wouldn't hear the end of it. Who knows, maybe one day."

  Wood will be expected to unleash his pace once more after Stokes named an unchanged XI for the third and final Test at Edgbaston, where play starts on Friday.