Southgate names Maguire's critics 'idiots'

If there were some sort of statistics on funny memes which are being posted on all social media in recent years, Harry Maguire would top the sports section without a doubt. The Manchester United defender is the unofficial king of all pranks about football on social media. It is an unwanted title for sure, a great burden for any player and the England international is forced to live with it. There are a few reasons why this is the case. First of all, when you are paid 80 million pounds (way back in 2019), you are bound to be in the spotlight, mainly due to the high price. And then, if you sign for a club which used to be a European giant but is no longer anything similar, you are bound to be the subject of jokes just because you are a Manchester United member. And when you start to make mistakes (due to social media pressure or otherwise), then things start to go a bit weird…

Needless to say, the amount of abuse Harry Maguire is receiving is quite ridiculous. After all, as he may not be the player for a Top 5 England club, he is certainly not so bad as being portrayed. But he is certainly not helping his case with constant blunders. The latest one was an own goal in a friendly game against Scotland. And manager Gareth Southgate was there to defend him.  

England score all four goals in a 3-1 win over Scotland

“He was exceptional for us at the weekend in the 1-1 draw with Ukraine. The reaction tonight is a consequence of idiots really from our side who have created that environment. So what I think was brilliant tonight was our fans who were here recognized that they're going to protect their own. We should be doing that. We're creating a problem for our own player. Some of the articles that were written, some of the comments that were made, were an absolute joke. He's been a tower of strength for us through one of the most successful periods of English football and the response tonight – I understand Scottish fans, they're having some fun – but it's created by our own side, it's ridiculous” said the England manager.

Southgate spared no words toward Maguire’s critiques…

“From a Scotland fans' point of view I get it and I've got absolutely no complaints with what they did. It's a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time, frankly. I think our fans recognised, 'Okay, there might be a bit of heat from our own supporters but we're not going to have it from others getting into him'. But it's a joke. I've never known a player treated the way he is. Not by the Scottish fans, by our own commentators, pundits, whatever it is. They've created something that's beyond anything I've ever seen. He's been an absolute stalwart for us in the second-most successful England team for decades. He's been an absolutely key part of that. I've talked about the importance of our senior players, he's been crucial amongst that. Every time he goes on the field the resilience he shows, the balls he shows, is absolutely incredible. So he's a top player and we're all with him. And our fans were brilliant with him tonight” said Southgate.