Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has slammed Gareth Southgate’s decision to criticise England supporters for booing Harry Maguire on Tuesday night.
The Red Devils captain was booed during the Three Lions’ 3-0 victory over Ivory Coast, with certain groups of supporters aiming to make a statement that he should not be in the team based on his club performances. However, Southgate stood by his decision and highlighted that the 29-year-old has consistently performed well for England.
The England manager labelled the chorus of boos an "absolute joke" and questioned how that sort of reception can benefit Maguire or his teammates, who will consider how they could be on the end of that type of reaction in time. But Irishman Keane has criticised Southgate for giving the matter any attention.
Speaking on ITV, he said: “I think Gareth has made it a bigger story than what it is. Every player gets booed. There’s going to be idiots at football matches. England fans have got a lot of idiots.”
“And if they’re going to boo Harry Maguire, I think Gareth could have easily said that it’s no big deal. He actually played well, just focus on that. I think he’s made a bigger story than what it is. And Gareth is almost picking and choosing when to support his players.
“ Raheem Sterling had a bust-up two or three years ago, he was bombed out of the squad. He’s left other players out. I remember when Harry was sent off [in October 2020] against Denmark. He didn’t really support him – I thought – when he was walking off the pitch.”
Maguire has been a key part of England’s defence under Southgate and many have highlighted that the former Leicester City player may be suited to international football. The defender has been heavily criticised for his performances for United and questioned how he has retained the captain’s armband at Old Trafford, leading many to ask how he is even in the frame to start for his country.
“I think Gareth’s made a bigger story than what it is,” continued United legend Keane. “Just get on with the game. He played well! And he’ll get fans back onside by his performances, not by people [like Southgate] reacting to a few boos or social media. Forget about it. Be big enough and man enough just to get on with the game. And he played well – that’s the most important thing.”
Maguire was a vital part of the sides that enjoyed success at the Euros last summer and at the World Cup previously, despite no silverware being lifted by captain Harry Kane at the end of the competition – though that was at no fault of Maguire’s, who performed well in both tournaments. It remains to be seen if the defender retains his spot in the Red Devils' defence when a new manager is appointed by United at the end of the season or Ralf Rangnick’s successor decides that they will need to purchase a replacement centre back in the summer transfer window.
