England captain Harry Kane was "proud" of Harry Maguire for playing through injury towards the end of Monday's draw with Germany despite it being a nightmare match for the defender.
Centre-back Maguire has become a much-maligned figure at Manchester United, with his performances routinely called into question over the past 12 months or so.
That ultimately led to him being dropped by new manager Erik ten Hag in August after United lost their first two games of the new Premier League season – he has not started since in the top flight and the Red Devils have won four matches on the bounce.
England manager Gareth Southgate backed Maguire at the start of this international window, suggesting he would stake his reputation on the defender's selection before starting him in both Nations League games despite previous vows to pick players on form.
Serie A-winning Milan defender Fikayo Tomori was left out of the squad entirely on Monday while Maguire went on to endure a nightmare, with his individual errors contributing to England finding themselves 2-0 down.
England remarkably fought back to go 3-2 up with three goals in 12 minutes before Kai Havertz's second rescued a point for Germany, and while the focus was already on Maguire – who was later spotted limping through the mixed zone – Kane praised his character.
"Any individual mistake, you're going to be gutted. But we are a team, we will get behind each other," Kane said.
"They [Maguire and goalkeeper Nick Pope] will learn from [their errors] and they'll move on. They have been great for us every time they put the shirt on.
"H [Maguire] had a pretty decent injury there at the end, where he played another five, 10 minutes, on almost one leg.
"Great character from him [to keep playing], I'm really proud of him for that."
After the match, Maguire said sorry to supporters on Instagram following his errors.
The first was a poor pass out from the back that was intercepted by Jamal Musiala, whom he then clumsily fouled in the area. Ilkay Gundogan scored the penalty.
For the second goal, Maguire was robbed of possession – again, Musiala was his nemesis here – up the pitch and Germany sprung a rapid counter-attack that was rounded off by a gorgeous Havertz finish.
"Mistakes are part of the game, I apologise," Maguire wrote.
"Great fightback and spirit to get us back into the game by the lads. Take the positives and look forward to Qatar. The tough times will make us stronger."
Arteta already sees Amorim influence on Man Utd
Mikel Arteta feels Ruben Amorim's influence is already visible in Manchester United's play, ahead of Arsenal facing the Red Devils in a huge matchup on Wednesday.
United have one win and one draw from two Premier League matches under the former Sporting CP coach, drawing 1-1 at Ipswich Town before crushing Everton 4-0.
On Wednesday, the United boss will face his toughest test yet as United visit the Emirates Stadium, where they have lost on seven of their last nine Premier League visits (one win, one draw), losing on their last three.
Last Sunday's comprehensive victory over Everton was the biggest ever managed by a permanent United boss in their first home league match at the helm.
They registered 59.9% possession, 630 total passes and three big chances in that match, with all of those figures bettering their per-game averages under former boss Erik ten Hag this term (52.2% possession, 494 passes and 2.9 big chances).
Arteta has been impressed by the swift nature of Amorim's impact, saying at Tuesday's pre-match press conference: "You can see his fingerprints already in how he wants to play.
"You know what he wants to do straight away, I think he's been very clear. He's been very successful with Sporting.
"It's remarkable after so many years what he achieved there, especially in the way he did it and the way his teams have been playing.
"He brings energy to the club, to the players, new ideas and that's always something that's positive.
"We focus on ourselves. We're on a good run and have good momentum. It will be a big and beautiful match against United."
Arsenal are currently trailing pacesetters Liverpool by nine points at the Premier League summit, with United six points further back in ninth place.
However, Arteta still thinks plenty of teams could catch Arne Slot's Reds – including United.
"We're still very early in the season. Any team that has the capacity to put wins in a row has a chance," the Spaniard said. "I think anything is possible."
Arsenal thrashed West Ham 5-2 last time out, with Bukayo Saka scoring a penalty and laying on two assists.
Saka has now provided 10 assists in Arsenal’s 13 Premier League games this season – only Harry Kane (11 in 2020-21), Cesc Fabregas (12 in 2014-15) and Mesut Ozil (12 in 2015-16) have reached double figures fewer games into a team's Premier League campaign.
Arteta feels the England international has made a visible step up this season, saying: "In terms of the numbers, yes.
"We see a shift from Bukayo every single year. He's more and more consistent. He can only improve and only get better. He wants more."
Arsenal draw holders Manchester United in FA Cup third round
Arsenal have drawn Manchester United at home in the third round of the FA Cup.
Record 14-time winners Arsenal were paired with holders – and 13-time winners – United in the pick of the ties in Monday's draw.
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City will host Salford City, who are owned by Man United's famed 'Class of 92'.
Elsewhere, Liverpool and fellow Premier League big boys Chelsea will host fourth-tier sides Accrington Stanley and Morecambe respectively.
The draw for the #EmiratesFACup third round is complete
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 2, 2024
One of the pick of the third-round ties, due to be played over the weekend of 11 January, will see Tamworth welcome Tottenham.
The only other non-league side still remaining, Dagenham & Redbridge, will go to Championship club Millwall.
League Two strugglers Bromley have a plum away tie at Newcastle United, meanwhile, and Premier League high-flyers Brighton and Hove Albion travel to Norwich City.
Aston Villa versus West Ham is the only other all-Premier League tie aside from Arsenal against Man United.
Bayern can cope without Kane, claims Kompany
Bayern Munich have enough talented players to replace the injured Harry Kane, so says Vincent Kompany.
The England captain, who has netted 20 goals across all competitions this season, suffered a thigh injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund.
Kane is expected to be out for a couple of weeks but Kompany is hopeful the England captain could still return to action before the winter break.
Bayern are top of the Bundesliga with a four-point lead over Eintracht Frankfurt.
"It is difficult to say at this moment but there is a chance for him to still play this year," Kompany told reporters ahead of Bayern's DFB-Pokal clash with holders and reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
"But he will miss several games and to replace him, you know you cannot replace the goals or the player one-for-one. That's why he is a top player."
Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, Michael Olise and Leroy Sane have enough experience to fill the gap, according to Kompany.
"We have talent in the team and need to solve it differently. We won't be lacking talent tomorrow but it will look different," Kompany explained.
"We have many options. Thomas Muller, Mathys Tel, Gnabry, Olise, Leroy. I now named almost everyone. Obviously, Harry has scored 20 goals, but we have dangerous players in attack."
Bayern last won the DFB-Pokal in 2020 and have failed to get past the quarter-finals since, losing in the second round in three of the past four seasons.
"We play the holders. One of the top two or three games in Germany, and I hope our performance will match the importance of the game," Kompany said.
"We have played against almost every team in the league now. Leverkusen's squad is one of the best.
"They defend very deep and did the same against us in our first meeting this season. I don't know if they will approach things in a similar way. I hope that we will build on our strengths and concentrate on ourselves, no matter how Leverkusen play."
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