Harry Maguire abuse is toxic and has put Gareth Southgate in difficult position

13 September 2023 , 11:00

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Harry Maguire abuse is toxic and has put Gareth Southgate in difficult position

Gareth Southgate rarely gets so emotional when talking about a player.

But his passionate defence of Harry Maguire after England’s win in Glasgow tells you everything about the manager’s respect for one of his most trusted lieutenants.

Maguire, 30, was mocked by the Scotland fans with an ironic cheer for every pass he made. It is now the same at every away ground. Arsenal fans cheered when he came on as a substitute in their recent win over Manchester United.

England boss Southgate called his treatment an “absolute joke” and he said he was “livid” at the sustained criticism from all quarters. And it has become too much. It’s toxic now, its drifted into ridicule rather than reason and Maguire doesn’t deserve that.

Maguire, of course, put through his own net, it gave England a nervy few minutes as their lead went from 2-0 to 2-1 until Harry Kane restored the two-goal advantage. But until that point, Maguire was composed and played out from the back. He did what he usually does for England: played well, passed it, blocked it and headed it.

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He rarely lets England down. He’s played at World Cups and European Championships and that’s why Southgate values him so highly.

It also explains why Maguire has a special relationship with the actual match going fan. Maybe that is hard for people to understand - especially those who throw stones from afar and comment on games they never go to - but it’s the way it is.

If you asked a lot of those fans, I’m sure a few would say they want him out of the team. But, generally, when he’s out on the pitch they back him. And the England fans chanted his name on Tuesday night largely to hit back at the ridicule and criticism from Scotland fans.

Harry Maguire continues to be barracked by opposition fans and pundits alike

This is the complete breakdown from the stick he gets on social media. And the stick he gets from pundits, radio and TV presenters and guests and the like. It’s the reason why it can be dangerous for radio, TV and even newspapers to rely on opinions from those who do not go to games and don’t get the dynamic.

I think everyone has the right to an opinion but I don’t like the ridicule or stupid, childish remarks. Would I pick Maguire for England now? No. I think there’s a reason why Maguire scored an own goal and that’s because he did look slow, lumbering and rusty.

He has not played enough for United. It’s always the same with Maguire. When he’s playing regularly and playing well, he looks quick and mobile. When he’s not playing regularly, he comes on and looks sluggish and slow. It’s all about perception.

Southgate’s loyalty is admirable but it’s going too far. It’s become blind for a player who has served him so well but it’s time to move on. Look for other options alongside John Stones. Marc Guehi has been impressive, Lewis Dunk was excellent and Levi Colwill is one for the future.

Gareth Southgate remains behind Maguire - but his loyalty is now at the point of being blind (Channel 4)

I’d love to see Maguire play regularly again for United. But that won’t happen under Erik ten Hag. I’d love to see Maguire get less ridicule. But it’s also arguably going to get worse when everyone talks about it again and it becomes a debate. Trying to appeal to football fans to stop booing generally only makes them boo louder.

Maguire also decided to stay at United rather than move for the sake of his England career. Much has been made about him refusing to go to West Ham with the inference that he’s been greedy.

But that really annoys me. United bought the player for £85m. They gave him a contract and should honour it to every penny - even when they want to get rid of him.

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Why on earth should a player take a pay cut or indeed why should a club be able to renege on a contract when they feel like it? You wouldn’t expect that in any other walk of life. So, why football?

John Cross