Rio Ferdinand believes England manager Gareth Southgate is placing 'blind trust' in Manchester United defender Harry Maguire ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Maguire, who has started just three Premier League games for Erik ten Hag's side this season, is expected to be named in the Three Lions squad for the upcoming tournament, despite falling behind Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in the pecking order at Old Trafford this term.
Ex-Reds star Ferdinand has suggested that England's defensive issues are a 'real worry' going into the World Cup, before insisting that the lack of quality options at centre-back could be costly for the Three Lions.
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Ferdinand also claimed that Maguire has never let his country down, but argued that his recent form is a worry for Southgate ahead of the first group stage match against Iran.
"I’ve always thought if you’re going to win a tournament, you’ve got to have a good defence," said Ferdinand. "Italy had experience, solid defenders to win the Euros. You can go down the years and you can see that. That’s where we’re probably at our weakest now. Even if there weren’t injuries or lack of form, I feel like that was our weakest area anyway.
"Kyle Walker, our quickest defender, has been out. Maguire, form and injuries. When you’re looking at it, you’re thinking ‘What are we going to do?’ Harry hasn’t let England down ever. He’s been phenomenal for England. But his form has gone out the window for Man Utd. He’s not in the team, he’s got an injury as well.
"Going into a tournament, I couldn’t think of another worst-case scenario. I would be concerned about that. But to be fair to him, Harry hasn’t let Gareth down. So as a manager you’re going to go with what you know, with what you’re comfortable with. But he trusts him. It could be blind trust, I don’t know. But he does trust him."
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