Maguire’s sending off proved crucial as England lost to Denmark
Gareth Southgate has backed Harry Maguire to bounce back from his slump in form after the defender was sent off in England’s defeat by Denmark on Wednesday night.
After England had controlled the early stages of their UEFA Nations League game with Denmark, two bookable offences for Maguire, coupled with a controversial penalty, saw the tide turn in the visitors’ favour.
Following his high-profile arrest in Greece in the summer, Maguire has been guilty of errors in his early season displays for Manchester United, raising questions as to whether the defender needed an extended break before returning to action.
Such a debate is likely to intensify following his costly sending off, though his national team manager offered his support following a frustrating night at Wembley.
“For me, he’s a top player,” Southgate said. “He’s a massive part of what we do. He’s in a period where he’s getting a lot of stick thrown his way and he’s big enough to deal with that. He’ll come through it, he’ll be stronger for it. He’s got our full support and i know his club will be the same.”
He later added: “He’s been getting all sorts from some people who should know better… None of us like to be the centre of that kind of storm, do we? When you’re a bit older you ca rationalise it and move forward. He’s experiencing it for the first time, I would say.
“You have to hang in and it will turn.”
"We showed resilience with ten men…"
Gareth Southgate was proud of how England reacted to going a man and a goal down in the first half v Denmark pic.twitter.com/YVYG92LkZu
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 14, 2020
Maguire was not the only England man to see red. Seconds after full-time, a brief exchange between Chelsea’s Reece James and the referee saw the defender sent off. Southgate later confirmed it was for dissent.
