Soccer

Harry Kane calls Harry Maguire one of the best English defenders of all time

Ahead of the Bayern - Manchester United clash in the UEFA Champions League, Harry Kane addressed the abuse suffered by fellow countryman Harry Maguire.

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September 19, 2023 03:44PM EDT

**© Michael Regan/Getty Images**Harry Kane and Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire has once again been target of abuse and mockery after scoring an own goal in an international friendly between England and Scotland. Harry Kane recently addressed the criticism suffered by his teammate at the national team, whom he regards as one of the best English defenders of all time.

“I think Harry has come under some unnecessary scrutiny. He has probably been scapegoated a bit,” Kane said, via Ben Jacobs. “He is a really good friend of mine, a great guy and a really hard working professional. He has been one of England’s best defenders over recent times and in England’s history. It is part of our game now, you are scrutinised all over social media.”

Maguire has been unable to avoid the critics since he joined Manchester United in 2019. This season, Erik ten Hag started to drop him from the starting eleven as his performances left much to be desired last term.

Harry Kane about to face Harry Maguire in the Champions League

The fellow countrymen will meet when Bayern welcome Manchester United to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, September 20, in the first round of the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League group stage.

While Kane is expected to lead the hosts’ attacking line, Maguire could also start for the visitors as Raphael Varane is injured.

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How much have Manchester United spent for Harry Maguire?

Manchester United forked out €87 million to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City in the summer of 2019. According to Transfermarkt, his market value back then was €50m.

Martín O’donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of soccer, NFL, and NBA, with a specialty in real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Editor, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis.