England manager, Gareth Southgate has come out to brand England fans booing Harry Maguire as an absolute joke. This is coming after the MUFC CB was targeted by some supporters during Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Ivory Coast, and fans have been reacting.
According to him, the reception was simply comedy because Maguire has performed very well for his country when called upon and he deserves the support of the fans every time he puts on an England shirt.
Southgate added that he believes Maguire is the best CB at MUFC and England will need him to do well at the World Cup.
His words, “I thought the reception was a joke, an absolute joke. The way he has performed for us has been absolutely phenomenal. I don’t get it. We’re either all in this together or we’re not.”
“He’s in an England shirt and not only should you support a player in an England shirt regardless, but when you’ve played at the level he has for us and put the performances in he has, it should be total commitment behind him. I don’t get it at all.”
“His performance was pretty faultless really. He stepped out from the back really well for his first goal, was involved in the second one too. So, yeah. The team are totally united. We recognise everyone has difficult moments but he’s a top player and he will come through it.”
“They are real England fans and some are influenced by whatever — social media or players that played previously who are influencing opinion. The club situation is obviously very difficult but he’s in an England shirt. I remember decades ago a few players being booed in an England shirt and it’s never been acceptable to me. Fans should always get behind their team.”
“Don’t think for one minute the other players won’t be looking at that thinking ‘that could be me one day.”
“That’s been one of the problems of playing for England. Players have thought ‘do I want to go because when it turns a little bit difficult, the crowd are going to turn on me.”
“That happened with John Barnes here, that happened with Ashley Cole a couple of times, that happened with Raheem, now Harry. They are all outstanding players so how that is going to benefit anybody, I really don’t understand.”
“We need a Harry Maguire playing well if we are going to have a chance of doing well this winter.”
“He played well and in my opinion he is the best centre back in his club as well. Where this is all starting or being fed? I am not sure. It is ludicrous. It is like every time he steps on a football field that every action is analysed to death. I can’t remember a player having that spotlight on them at any point.”
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