Maguire has also been criticised frequently by many pundits and supporters in recent seasons for his performances.
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It goes without saying that Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is not one of the most popular footballers around in the English setup. The centre-back has been going through a difficult phase at club level which resulted in him being dropped by his club manager Erik ten Hag. Maguire has also been criticised frequently by many pundits and supporters in recent seasons for his performances.
During the international duty, Harry Maguire was mocked in the stadium, with Scotland supporters cheering his every pass. He also scored an own goal in that game, however, England still won the match 3-1. After the game, England head coach Gareth Southgate expressed his displeasure with how Maguire has been treated regularly in recent past. He believes the defender is an important player for the team and has consistently done well for them.
“He’s just come out and spoken to the media, which I think shows the resilience and the character of him. We’re now in a situation where, because of people in our own country, the opposition think they can have fun with him. What’s that about? He’s been an incredible player for England in one of the most successful teams we’ve had – critical for what we’ve been doing,” Southgate told Sky Sports News.
“We allow him to be open to that? It’s a joke; an absolute joke. It makes me livid. Thankfully he’s got the support of the dressing room and the people behind him. I thought the England fans in the stadium tonight were absolutely brilliant. I’ve no problem with the Scotland fans – they’re having fun. But what stirs that up is people in our own country. Other players will think: ‘Is that what awaits us?’ Great credit to him that he managed to show the composure with the ball, keep the ball and put that moment behind him.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has also come to Maguire defence, saying he can “sympathise” with the defender. “I can sympathise with him in a way because I’ve been at the other end of the Premier League and been relegated twice. When you’re in a period where fans or pundits put you under the microscope, every little thing is analysed. If he was playing week in and week out, or this noise wasn’t around, and he scored an own goal then this probably gets brushed under the carpet,” he told Sky Sports News.
“He’s tried to do the right thing and clear it, but it’s gone in. It’s unfortunate but because of the situation people are overhyping, saying he shouldn’t be playing. Maguire is, as we’ve seen over the past few years for England, one of the best defenders we’ve got. He’s so strong mentally, he’s got great people around him and he knows his qualities. He’s a leader and I love working with him.”
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