Former Manchester United captain Harry Maguire impressed in the Manchester derby win over Man City after returning from injury
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Harry Maguire of Manchester United applauds the fans after the team's victory during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Harry Maguire could be back in the international picture after returning to the Manchester United line-up(Image: Michael Regan, Getty Images)
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Harry Maguire returned to the Manchester United starting line-up for last weekend's Manchester derby. The England international delivered an impressive performance, as did his teammates, helping new interim boss Michael Carrick guide the side to a commanding 2-0 victory at Old Trafford.
It marked Maguire's first start since November following a thigh injury, though he had a brief return to action days earlier against Brighton in the FA Cup. He looked as though he'd never been absent, rattling the crossbar with a characteristic header and putting in a solid shift at the back.
It may have been just a single match but the performance has led former England centre-half John Terry to advocate for Maguire's return to the international setup ahead of the World Cup. However, pundit and ex-Liverpool defender Phil Thompson doesn't agree, with England boss Thomas Tuchel set to decide later this year which players are worthy of a place on the plane to this summer's tournament.
"Man United is such a better team with Harry Maguire in the squad today, back playing," Terry said after the derby. "I'm not sure there's a more difficult game to come into. A Manchester derby playing against the best striker in the world in [Erling] Haaland.
"He's just so good in both boxes and so good on the ball as well. Saw him drive out with the ball and was so comfortable with it. In this form, Harry Maguire has to be on the plane for the World Cup."
Thompson responded to Terry's comments on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast. In doing so, he provided a reminder that different things are asked of a Manchester United centre-back compared to an England defender at a major tournament.
"I love Harry Maguire, he is always committed, he's a very, very good professional," Thompson said. "But... Man City have most possession in a game, so what you do, you defend the edge of your own box. Harry loves that, he loves the challenge and he loves to defend."
"What does Harry not like doing? He doesn't like running back. He's got no pace, he knows that and understands that.That was playing to his strengths with Man City having the ball."
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Steve Holland and Michael Carrick, Interim Head Coach of Manchester United, look on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Michael Carrick brought Maguire straight back in after a spell out injured(Image: Michael Regan, Getty Images)
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"Playing for England, you've got to adapt a little bit but you have to push up. Particularly in the opening (group) games you're going to have most of the ball, you've got to play a high line, you do not want to get caught out. Harry's been a great servant for Manchester United and for England but I just can't see that."
Maguire was involved in all of England's games at both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and also starred at Euro 2020. However, he was absent from Euro 2024 after dealing with injuries in the run-up to the tournament in Germany and has yet to be selected since Thomas Tuchel took the England job in January 2025.
Carrick's decision to immediately recall him at club level was something of a risk, as the man in temporary charge acknowledged when speaking to BBC Match of the Day. "We were going into the game, and he's literally trained two days out of 45 or so, so it was a big ask," Carrick said.
"He came on the other day for a short period of time (against Brighton in the FA Cup) but again hasn't really trained a whole lot so we've got to manage him. It shows again how much it means to the boys to play, and the boys were going down with all sorts. He got through it he managed him well. He was a big presence at the back for us. He showed that immense experience."
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