'One of our best' - Harry Kane hails 'scapegoated' Man Utd defender amid praise for ex-Chelsea boss

England captain Harry Kane has become the latest player to leap to Harry Maguire’s defence - believing the Manchester United defender has been “scapegoated”. 

Dropped by Erik ten Hag and stripped of the captaincy at Old Trafford, the treatment of the defender once again became a hot topic when he was on international duty with the Three Lions. 

His national team boss Gareth Southgate blasted Maguire’s critics after his own goal against Scotland and the 30-year-old’s mum even posted on social media calling out the treatment of her son. 

Kane could line up against Maguire when Bayern Munich host United in the Champions League on Wednesday night and is among those who believe his international team-mate has been unfairly treated. 

“I think H has come under some really unnecessary scrutiny,” Kane told a pre-match press conference. .

“Probably been scapegoated a little bit in terms of the way the team has gone over recent times. He is a really good friend of mine, he’s a great guy, a really hard working professional.

“From an England point of view, he has been one of our best defenders and one of the best defenders in the history of our country in an England shirt.

“It’s part of our game now, it’s part of football. You get scrutinised all over social media but knowing him, all he will want to do is work harder and improve and stay focused.

“We’re fully behind him in the national team. I know the coach has come out and backed him fully. There’s always going to be noise around players but the most important thing is that we have a really strong core with England and that’s the most important thing going into big games and big tournaments.”

Kane’s fortunes could not be any different to Maguire’s, the 30-year-old having scored four goals since his big-money move to the Bundesliga that ended his long association with Tottenham. 

And the England marksman is enjoying working with former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel. 

“We have got a good relationship,” Kane said. “He is always pushing players to improve and get better – that has been no different with me.

“There has been no special treatment because I am a new player or a big player – he treats me the same as everyone else. I can learn a lot from a manager like him. He has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world and been really successful.

“We all know we can improve a bit better as a team and that will come throughout the season.”