Manchester United's Harry Maguire has urged England fans to stay positive and stick with the team after their 0-0 draw against Italy in the Nations League, which leaves the Three Lions without a win in three games.
Harry Maguire wants the England fans to look at the positives of the last three Nations League games and tries to show some perspective to those quick to criticise the team and Gareth Southgate.
The Manchester United captain isn't a stranger to criticism at club level, he has come off the back of a disappointing season with United, where he struggled to find any sort of form.
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However, when he's put an England shirt on, he has always performed, most recently being one of the best players in the run to the Euro 2020 final.
He suggests that the Three Lions might be a victim of their own success, with expectations higher than ever.
“Well I know from playing at my club level that when you don’t win a football match, the criticism comes," He told TalkSPORT after Saturday's draw.
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"We’ve shown over the last four or five years now that it doesn’t affect us.
“But of course, the more you win football matches, the higher the expectation comes.
“And then when you don’t win one in three games, then obviously there’s gonna be scrutiny.”
The result against the Italians was the first time in four years that England have gone three games without win, which shows how long this vein of world-class form has been going on for, something that the fans have grown accustomed to.
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It has not always been the case with the national side, however, and the United captain thinks that Southgate is a huge reason behind this success.
“I think he’s [Gareth Southgate] brought top-level football back to the country, he’s brought that expectation back to what it was years ago.
“It’s been years since we were competitive in these top games.”
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Harry Maguire understands that the reason why the fans are disappointed by the recent results, it's because they expect better and they care about the team.
He urges supporters to turn this criticism into wholehearted support as the England camp prepare for the World Cup in Qatar this December.
“The fans have always been brilliant, so get behind us like they do every tournament.
“It’s gonna be an exciting tournament and one that we need to make sure that we’re ready for.”
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Although he is often the scapegoat and main target of negative comments at Manchester United, Harry Maguire is one of the solid pillars of this great England team and his presence at the back could be the key to the team's success in Qatar.
Topics: England, Gareth Southgate, Harry Maguire, Manchester United, Football, Football World Cup, Euro 2021, Italy