Jose Mourinho failed to sign Harry Maguire at Manchester United, but he thinks the Reds' captain is crucial for England.
Mourinho has previously admitted he was 'crying' for a player like Maguire during the summer transfer window in 2018, although the former United boss ultimately didn't get his wish before being eventually sacked and replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Maguire has established himself as one of Solskjaer's most trusted lieutenants in the heart of United's defence since his £80m arrival from Leicester and he's done the same in recent years for England, becoming a key player that Gareth Southgate relies upon.
The United captain made his much-anticipated return from an ankle injury, which he sustained against Aston Villa in early May, against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, leading England to a 1-0 win, which ensured they won their group at the European Championship.
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England could now face Germany in the knockout stages and Mourinho thinks Maguire could play in the middle of a three in defence. .
“I keep saying when you have an option to take 26 players, you have to risk, gamble and take an injured player if the player deserves that," Mourinho said to talkSPORT.
“Maguire is one of those players. He was confident, he was stable, he was intelligent [against the Czech Republic]. He read the game well and he has a good partnership with Stones.
“Mings is doing a fantastic job, you could feel he was happy to come in for 10 or 15 minutes, he is a team player.
"I wouldn’t be surprised if the next game is against Germany, the way they play with three at the back – I wouldn’t be surprised if England went with Stones, Maguire and Mings at the back. The next one is the one because it will be against a top team."
