{"id":289792,"date":"2023-09-13T21:34:47","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T21:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=289792"},"modified":"2023-09-13T21:34:47","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T21:34:47","slug":"gareth-southgate-called-cowardly-for-ignoring-man-utd-fans-over-harry-maguire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/soccer\/gareth-southgate-called-cowardly-for-ignoring-man-utd-fans-over-harry-maguire\/","title":{"rendered":"Gareth Southgate called ‘cowardly’ for ignoring Man Utd fans over Harry Maguire"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    Harry Maguire's slip-up against Scotland has exposed Gareth Southgate to fresh criticism following the England manager's response to the abuse his defender has faced.<\/p>\n

    Manchester United centre-back Maguire, 30, came on as a substitute at Hampden Park on Tuesday and halved the deficit on the hosts' behalf with an own-goal. And it came after the former \u00a380million man has already been subjected to torrents of criticism for his form for club and country in recent years.<\/p>\n

    But businessman Simon Jordan has labelled Southgate as 'cowardly' for refusing to call out the fans responsible for Slabhead's sledging and instead attributing the treatment to 'faceless' pundits. The Three Lions chief attempted to shield 59-cap international Maguire, who started in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Ukraine before his unfortunate cameo against the Scots.<\/p>\n

    "He was exceptional for us at the weekend," said Southgate after the trip to Glasgow. "The reaction tonight is a consequence of idiots really from our side who have created that environment.<\/p>\n

    READ MORE: <\/b>Harry Maguire can't resist cheeky swipe at Scotland fans who ridiculed the England star<\/b><\/p>\n

    "So what I think was brilliant tonight was our fans who were here recognised 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."<\/p>\n

    It only made matters worse that many among Scotland's support revelled in taking aim at Maguire, who has lost the captaincy at Old Trafford after falling down Erik ten Hag's pecking order at Old Trafford. And it's Jordan's belief Southgate is clutching at straws by refusing to direct blame for the abuse towards the supporters.<\/p>\n

    Taking to the airwaves on talkSPORT's White and Jordan Show on Wednesday, the former Crystal Palace owner said: "Gareth aiming barbs at people who are faceless and can\u2019t name, suggesting pundits and commentators are the reason for this is slightly cowardly, because he knows it is the fans.<\/p>\n

    Do you think Harry Maguire deserves to keep his place in the England squad? Let us know in the comments section.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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