Maguire on his major lows and belief he is still one of world's best

Even for a high-profile international footballer, sometimes mum knows best. In September 2023, when, by his own admission, Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was at his lowest ebb, as he was abused and mocked during an England appearance against Scotland ("I came on, played really well, then scored an own goal"), his mum Zoe took to social media. She called the treatment of her son "disgraceful and unacceptable".

"I didn't want her to, but she just said, 'I'm doing it! I'm not listening to you! '" Maguire said, smiling, as he spoke at length about his career so far and hopes for the future to journalists at the club's training camp in Maynooth, 20 miles outside Dublin.

"I think it probably does affect your family a little bit more in those moments. They've seen what we're going through and how tough it is. "That was probably the lowest point, but it's part of the journey.

"I wouldn't change where I've been and what I've been through. It's definitely made me stronger and got me to where I am today. " Maguire, 33, feels he has "performed really well" in six out of his seven seasons at Old Trafford.