Harry Kane defends ‘scapegoat’ Harry Maguire and says Man United player has come under ‘unnecessary scrutiny’ – as Bayern Munich star insists England team-mate is ‘one of our best defenders ever’

• Harry Maguire’s place in the England squad has been under increasing scrutiny 
• Harry Kane could face him in the Champions League on Wednesday in Munich
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Harry Kane has given England team-mate Harry Maguire his support as the defender once again comes under intense scrutiny. 

Maguire has been one of Gareth Southgate’s most consistent selections in his England squads since taking charge of the national team, despite minutes at Manchester United drying up of late. 

Despite a lack of game time, Maguire has been a central figure in each of England’s last three international tournament squads, in which he has reached a final (Euro 2020), semi-final (2018 World Cup), and quarter-final (2022 World Cup). 

After his latest high-profile error – an own goal against Scotland after coming off the bench in a 3-1 win for the Three Lions – the call for Maguire to no longer be called up has only increased.  

As such, with the England skipper in front of the media ahead of Bayern Munich’s clash with Man United in the Champions League, Kane was asked about the treatment of his international team-mate and ‘friend’ Maguire.

England captain Harry Maguire offered his support to team-mate Harry Maguire on Tuesday

The Manchester United defender’s place in the England set up has come under intense scrutiny

The former United captain has been bereft of game time at Old Trafford since being stripped of the armband

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‘I think H has come under some really unnecessary scrutiny, probably been scapegoated a little bit in terms of the way the team has gone over recent time,’ the England captain said.

‘He’s a really good friend of mine.

‘From an England point of view, being one of our best defenders over the history of our country in an England shirt… it’s part of football, but knowing him all he’ll want to do is try and improve.

‘We’re fully behind him as a national team.’

Kane will potentially face off against the embattled Maguire on Wednesday, when the Red Devils travel to Bavaria for the Champions League Group Stage clash.

Kane was himself close to joining Man United this summer, before his staggering £100million move to the Bundesliga giants. 

Mail Sport’s Manchester United Confidential revealed that the player was prepared to join the Red Devils next summer at the end of his Tottenham contract, had he received assurances over the Premier League side’s interest. 

With his deal in north London set to expire in the summer of 2024, a move came this summer with Spurs ultimately understanding that losing such a player for free would be worse in the long term than parting with him earlier than needed.  

Kane’s Bayern Munich take on United in a replay of the fabled 1999 Champions League final which the Premier League side won

Maguire has managed just 23 minutes of action so far this season, coming off the bench against Arsenal in a 3-1 defeat

Maguire, too, was close to a move over the summer, with West Ham agreeing a £30m fee for the defender with Man United, only for a deal to fall through after the player decided he wished to stay at Old Trafford.

His decision though could come back to haunt him as England prepare for the European Championship next summer in 2024, as he has only played 23 minutes of Premier League football, coming off the bench in the 3-1 loss to Arsenal. 

His manager Erik ten Hag was one of many to leap to his defence following the blunder at Hampden Park, insisting that the criticism has been ‘crazy’ and ‘unjustified’.

And the Dutchman was joined by former boss Brendan Rodgers, England manager Gareth Southgate, team-mate James Maddison, and even his own mother, who waded in to call those sending him abuse ‘disgraceful’. 

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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