“It’s a joke”: Gareth Southgate defends Manchester United’s Harry Maguire
By Evan Curnew
Calling Harry Maguire’s time at Manchester United a nightmare might be an understatement. Since his £80m arrival from Leicester City in 2019, Harry Maguire has failed to live up to the price tag. Most would agree he has probably not played to the ability of a £40m player. To make matters worse for the English international, since Erik ten Hag‘s arrival at the club, Maguire has slipped into a bench role with United. He also lost his captaincy to Bruno Fernandes before the beginning of this season.
Despite the hard times at Old Trafford, Harry Maguire has consistently shown up for the England National Team when asked to do so. With that said, he was getting those minutes with the Three Lions because he was regularly starting matches with Manchester United. With Maguire now riding the bench at the club, England fans are displeased that Maguire is still being called up for his country and getting notable minutes.
"There was no need whatsoever to put Maguire out there last night, what were you expecting?" 😤
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 13, 2023
"Gareth Southgate is responsible for all this banter that's been thrown towards Maguire!" 👀
Darren Bent slams Gareth Southgate for bringing on #MUFC Harry Maguire against Scotland! pic.twitter.com/2IIbiIWQCI
Harry Maguire was responsible for an own goal recently in a friendly match against Scotland, but England still did prevail as winners. Tensions are high right now around the player, and being such a hot topic, people who know Maguire are starting to get fed up. Post-match after their victory versus Scotland, England manager Gareth Southgate showed serious frustrations around the abuse Harry Maguire is receiving.
"“It’s a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time. It’s a joke, I’ve never known a player treated like he is, not by the Scottish fans, by our own commentators, pundits, whatever it is. It’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen.” [via The Athletic’s Tim Spiers]"
Southgate was not the only England NT member to air their anger about people talking about Harry Maguire
"“At the minute, because of his situation, people are over-hyping, ‘he shouldn’t be playing, he shouldn’t be here’. Harry Maguire, as we’ve seen over the past few years with England, is one of the best defenders we’ve got.” [Sky Sports via AFCstuff]"