Jamie Carragher believes Harry Maguire's England place may now be untenable and thinks the defender must leave Manchester United to recapture his best form.
Maguire started United's first two games of the Premier League season – defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford – but has been relegated to the bench amid a four-game winning run for Erik ten Hag's men.
Maguire's lack of game-time at Old Trafford led to criticism of Gareth Southgate's decision to select him for England's Nations League ties against Italy and Germany, and the defender did not help his case with two nervous performances.
Having started as the Three Lions were relegated from League A with a meek 1-0 loss in Milan last week, Maguire gave away a penalty in Monday's 3-3 draw with Germany.
On Wednesday, former Liverpool and England defender Carragher said criticism of Maguire's performances was justified, writing in the Telegraph: "Harry Maguire should be angry.
"He should be angry that he has gone from England's best defender at the 2018 World Cup and 2020 Euros, where he was named in the team of the tournament, to being presented as a laughing stock.
"He should be angry that he has gone from a player England fans saw as 'one of their own' when singing his name incessantly during internationals, to someone who some supporters think it justified to boo whenever his name is announced in the stadium.
"He should be angry that he finds himself fighting to justify his place in England's World Cup squad on the back of being left in limbo at Manchester United.
"And he should also be angry when looking at himself and asking; 'how have I allowed it to come to this', when not so long ago he would have been alongside Harry Kane as one of the first names on Gareth Southgate's team sheet.
"No-one deserves the kind of mockery coming Maguire's way. Some of the criticism towards him is that which you would expect directed at bad apples – poor characters who undermine their clubs or teams.
"Maguire is not that. But strong reactions are inevitable when you become an £80million player.
"Criticism of his performance against Germany is valid and justified and Southgate must assess if Maguire is mentally right for a World Cup, able to show he can put all the issues behind him.
"In the past, it is something Maguire has struggled with. How can the manager make such a big call before the opening game against Iran unless Maguire is playing for his club?
"'We've got to pick our best and experienced players unless we're in a situation where it is almost untenable,' Southgate said on Monday night. Unfortunately for Maguire, we may already be at that stage."
With Ten Hag preferring Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez at the heart of a new-look United defence, Carragher thinks the time has come for Maguire to call time on his spell at Old Trafford.
"Too often, it looks as if the weight of the world is on his shoulders, like he is a startled bunny more than the authoritative centre-back he was," Carragher added.
"I think it is too late at club level. I wrote last year he was fighting for his Manchester United career. He needs this to be his final season at Old Trafford and start afresh. Now it is England's problem.
"When I watched Maguire in the last two games, I felt sorry for him. But that is not a good look for any sports person. Sympathy will not get him back where he was two years ago."
Having failed to win any of their last six matches, England are experiencing their longest winless run going into a major tournament, and their worst patch of form since another sequence of six games without victory in 1993.
Anthony Ralston enjoying setting an example at Celtic
Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston will embrace his developing role as one of the more senior members of the squad after signing his latest contract.
Ralston has made five appearances since the return of Brendan Rodgers and the manager quickly showed his faith by handing him a new contract until the summer of 2027 this week.
The academy graduate made his Celtic debut seven years ago under Ronny Deila and was handed further first-team action by Rodgers before truly establishing himself in the early days of Ange Postecoglou’s reign, following loan spells with Dundee United and St Johnstone.
Given the number of players who have arrived at Celtic Park over the last two years, the Scotland international accepts he can now be classed as a senior player.
“Unfortunately, aye…,” he said. “I am only turning 25 in November but for sure I’m not a kid anymore.
“When there’s younger boys coming into the team, it’s trying to help them settle in as much as possible, especially if they are coming from different backgrounds and different countries.
“It’s up to the likes of myself and boys who have been here for a long time or who have come through to help them settle in as best as possible so they can perform at their best.
“It’s a different time now for me after signing the contract. I am going to be here until I am slightly older again so it’s adapting through my career into that experience level where I can help younger boys, because I have been there myself at 18, 19, 20.
“I am lucky, we still have more experienced boys than me, the likes of Cal (McGregor), Joe (Hart), Jamesy (Forrest), who take the lead on that. I still very much look to them as well as trying to help the younger lads.
“But when that point of my career comes – not just yet – I have had great role models to be able to fulfil that when the time comes.”
Rodgers this week stated it was important for Celtic to have players such as Ralston who understand what it means to play for the club as supporters and youth academy graduates.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s cinch Premiership clash at Motherwell, Ralston agreed: “I do feel it’s important. It’s a hard journey to get to this point but I am one of the lucky ones who have been able to break through. There are a lot of kids who don’t.
“I have had great role models like Callum and Jamesy that I have seen do it and it gives everyone that bit of hope.”
Ralston has previously spoken about how the birth of his daughter, Mila, inspired him to make his breakthrough under Postecoglou after he only played once during the 2020-21 season. And his role as a father continues to motivate him.
“The contract is a symbol of the work I am putting in for her and for the rest of my family and friends who have helped me all the way from being a kid to now,” he said.
“She is definitely getting to grips more with what her dad does. She is only three and a half so trying to explain that to her and sometimes she is quite interested, then other times she is not.
“But she will get there and when she is older she will be able to look back at all the memories that I have tried to create for her early in her life and realise how special it was.
“She is my main motivation, she is my responsibility and my career reflects my life as well. It’s just about trying to give her everything and the best life possible.
“She is going to grow up and look back at the success and the things I create. It’s my job to make sure they are as special as possible and I hope I am doing that for her.”
Lisandro Martinez could be out for two months in latest Man Utd injury blow
Lisandro Martinez faces around two months on the sidelines having aggravated a previous foot complaint as Manchester United’s injury-hit start to the season continues.
There have been 16 different United players injured or ill already this season, with seven sidelined for Saturday’s Premier League home clash against Crystal Palace.
United full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Sergio Reguilon are all ruled out, with Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Martinez also absent.
The Argentina defender sustained a fractured metatarsal in April’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla, keeping him out for around two months.
Martinez is now understood to be looking at a similar timescale on the sidelines after United announced an issue with the same foot.
“Lisandro Martinez will be out of action for an extended period due to an aggravation of the foot injury he suffered in April,” the club said.
“The Argentinian defender experienced the setback in our Premier League game against Arsenal earlier this month.
“Martinez bravely continued playing for the following two games against Brighton and Bayern Munich.
“But it has now been determined that he needs a period on the sidelines for recovery and rehabilitation. Assessment is ongoing to decide next steps.”Martinez’s absence in a gut punch for a United side that can welcome back Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay after missing Tuesday’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win against Palace through illness.
Ahead of hosting Palace again, manager Erik ten Hag said: “We have seen some players back on Tuesday.
“For tomorrow the players who were out of the squad for Tuesday, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen, they are back.”
Ten Hag recently admitted he was concerned about the number of injuries United have been picking up at a time when there are ever-increasing demands on elite players.
“We already expanded the squad this season,” he said. “We had a World Cup in the middle of (last) season, so we had a longer season.
“We had to play a longer season as well because of the FA Cup (final) then nations games, so a shorter break.
“Every time the shadow is expanding, and the load on the players is just too much. It’s such a great overload.
“But many colleagues have already pointed to that, and I have pointed to that as well.
“But it kept going, we keep expanding the shadow, but anywhere it will stop and players can’t deal any more with this overload.
“I think this is what you see across many squads in this moment.”
The strain of injuries and illness have been compounded by the absence of Antony and Jadon Sancho.
Antony has not played since the 3-1 loss at Arsenal on September 3, having been given a leave of absence to deal with allegations of abuse against him.
United announced on Friday that the winger will resume training and is available for selection again as he continues to co-operate with police inquiries.
But Antony will not feature against Palace this weekend, nor will Sancho.
Four weeks ago the England international claimed on social media that he had been made a “scapegoat” after Ten Hag said he left him out of the squad for the game at Arsenal because of poor performance in training.
United later announced Sancho was training “away from the first-team group, pending resolution of a squad discipline issue”.
Ten Hag has not backed down and gave short shrift to the latest questions about the banished winger.
“Many of you ask me so often these questions and I have said everything,” he said ahead of the Palace game.
When asked how long this situation with Sancho can continue, Ten Hag said curtly: “What I said – I said everything.”
Antony return to Manchester United will not be a distraction – Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag does not believe Antony’s return will be a distraction after Manchester United announced he will resume training and is available for selection amid police inquiries into allegations of abuse against him.
The 23-year-old was given a leave of absence on September 10 and returned to England from Brazil earlier this week, before attending a voluntary interview with Greater Manchester Police on Thursday.
Antony has always denied the allegations against him and United confirmed on Friday morning the winger will rejoin training and can resume playing Ten Hag’s side.
The Premier League club said in a statement: “Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has co-operated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so.
“As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed.
“This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case.
“As a club we condemn acts of violence and abuse. We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”
United released the statement just over two hours before Ten Hag faced the media to preview Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace.
Antony will not be involved in that Premier League encounter but will return to training with the group on the day of the game.
“We make the statement, so I refer to the statement,” Ten Hag said. “I think everything has been made clear in the statement.
“No, I don’t think it’s a distraction. We focus on the games and he will do as well.”
Asked for details on his return, the Dutchman said: “On Saturday, he will be back in the training, so tomorrow.
“I have to see (how fit he is), but I think, yeah (he’s fit).”
Antony is facing several accusations of physical aggression towards his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin, who spoke to Brazilian outlet UOL earlier this month.
The winger has denied those allegations, as well as further assault claims made by Rayssa de Freitas and Ingrid Lana.
Antony has not been arrested or charged in either Brazil or by GMP and he left the voluntary interview, where he presented evidence to support his strenuous denials, without any restrictions.
United will continue to monitor the situation while police enquiries are going on.
A spokesperson for the charity Women’s Aid said: “We know that this morning’s news from Manchester United about their player, Antony, returning to training and selection while police inquiries continue will have an impact on survivors of domestic abuse.
“We urge the national football organisations to work with specialist services, like Women’s Aid, to provide much-needed guidance for clubs on domestic abuse and the handling of domestic abuse cases.
“An informed and consistent approach is vital in order to create a society where domestic abuse is not tolerated and we will be writing to the national organisations to raise this.”
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