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Roy Keane ripped into Harry Maguire for his goal celebration against Albania on Friday night, calling the Manchester United defender 'embarrassing.'
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It's been a poor start to the season for Maguire, and United, and the past few weeks have been particularly galling for the team's captain.
So much has his form dipped in recent weeks, on the back of hammerings by Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, and the 2-2 draw with Atalanta in the Champions League, that fans called for him to be dropped by England.
It's not that long ago that the former Leicester City defender was receiving all sorts of plaudits for his excellent form in the Euros, so the calls for Gareth Southgate to not even call him up for this month's World Cup qualifiers would have hurt.
Maguire gave an instant reply to the criticism by heading England ahead after just nine minutes, before celebrating by cupping his ears.
However, Keane was less than impressed, saying the defender was 'embarrassing,' especially after being a 'disgrace' for United in recent months.
"That's embarrassing, he's been a disgrace the last few months for Man Utd."
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 12, 2021
Roy Keane was not impressed over Harry Maguire's celebration after his goal earlier tonight#ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/mMXfpZkyCT
*Harry Maguire breathes*
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) November 12, 2021
Roy Keane: pic.twitter.com/YmnVm1fZuY
Maguire sticks his fingers in his ears as he celebrates, because scoring a header against Albania is enough to wipe out weeks of atrocious performances at club level
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 12, 2021
That Harry Maguire ears celebration. Mate, it’s Albania.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) November 12, 2021
"That’s embarrassing. He’s been a disgrace for Manchester United.” Roy Keane on Harry Maguire celebration.
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) November 12, 2021
Spot on. I said it and got abuse from "United" fans saying back your captain. He needs to perform like one and not do stuff like that first
Keane, who recently did a not too flattering impression of Maguire, might have a point about the celebration coming against Albania and it hardly undoing the defender's recent form, but it also seems a bit harsh.
Having come in for criticism, the 28-year-old will be just as aware as anyone else that he is under pressure for both United and England.
The former Hull City player even revealed after the match that his celebration wasn't even aimed at anyone in particular and accepted his recent poor form.
"I'm Manchester United captain, of course I'm going get criticism when the team isn't doing well but the celebration wasn't directed at anyone" 💬@HarryMaguire93 spoke to @gabrielclarke05 following England's win over Albania#ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/UITHWQiZoX
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 12, 2021
Scoring at such an emotional time no doubt caused him to celebrate in such a way and who can really be that upset about a celebration, apart from Keane of course.
The former United captain is always annoyed at something and his ex team performing so badly recently has really riled him, claiming he'd like to grab Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ask him why he keeps picking Fred, something United fans can no doubt relate to.
The Three Lions went on to win 5-0, thanks to Harry Kane's hat-trick, and they look on course to qualify for next winter's World Cup, needing just a point on Monday against San Marino to confirm their place in Qatar.
Keane will no doubt be ready to criticise anyone for celebrating against San Marino...
Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: Harry Maguire, England, Manchester United, Premier League, Roy Keane