Leicester City’s Harry Maguire criticised by Jose Mourinho

Leicester City and England defender Harry Maguire has been slated by Jose Mourinho despite putting an excellent display against Colombia.

The 25-year old may have become a national hero, but that hasn’t proved to be enough to earn the Manchester United boss’ praise.

Of all the talking points that Mourinho could have picked, he chose Harry Maguire’s diving and the appeal for VAR when Wilmar Barrios headbutted Jordan Henderson.

Speaking on Russia Today, the Portuguese expressed his concern about the players’ antics at the FIFA World Cup, while also adding that Neymar shouldn’t be the only one singled out.

"“People are focusing on Neymar, but if it was only Neymar, I’d be happy, but it’s not only Neymar.“Every team has lots of diving, lots of pretending, lots of putting pressure on the referee. It’s not about England and Colombia, it’s almost every match.“I was surprised to see central defenders like Harry Maguire, normally he is a very honest guy, diving in the attacking box asking the referee for VAR.“The players should feel the responsibility of playing in the World Cup in front of billions of spectators.”"

Harry Maguire was certainly right to ask for VAR after what seemed a clear headbutt on Henderson inside the box. Not only was it a penalty but a red card, too, and any player in the world would have done the same – even someone as nice as Thiago Silva.

But it doesn’t matter now – thankfully. Having won a penalty shootout for the first time at a World Cup, England are now the favourites to beat Sweden and make it to the semi-finals, where they’d face Croatia (yet to “not” win a game) or hosts Russia (same record as England).

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However, Janne Andersson’s side aren’t going to make it any easier for the Three Lions. They have only conceded in one of their four games (losing 2-1 to Germany), keeping a clean sheet against Mexico, Korea Republic and Switzerland.

They aren’t bad going forward either, a reflection of which is the six goals they’ve scored so far. Will England get the better of the Swedes?