Former England captain David Beckham sent Harry Maguire a supportive text after his own goal during England’s friendly match against Scotland.
Harry Maguire has received a wave of criticism this season, with the defender remaining at Manchester United despite a lack of game time under Erik ten Hag.
Beckham reached out to Maguire, urging him to silence the negativity after his own goal against Scotland.
The former skipper has first-hand experience dealing with negativity, following his red card in the 1998 World Cup.
According to The Sun, a source said that: ‘Becks told Harry to keep his head up. He knows what it’s like to be targeted.
He scored an own goal as England faced Scotland in a 3-1 win on Tuesday night
He scored an own goal as England faced Scotland in a 3-1 win on Tuesday night
England fans are divided on whether Maguire deserves his place in Gareth Southgate’s team
Gareth Southgate described Maguire as a ‘tower of strength’ for England after the match
‘He got through it and is certain Harry can do the same. Getting a message from someone like Becks meant the world to Harry.’
Despite his experience at club and country level, there has been overwhelming criticism of Maguire on social media, including being sent a bomb threat in April last year.
Gareth Southgate spoke out after the Scotland match and said he’d ‘never known a player to be treated the way he is.
Southgate defended who he described as England’s ‘tower of strength’ and blasted the pundit criticism he has suffered as ‘an absolute joke’.
This was seconded by Maguire’s mum, Zoe Maguire, who took to social media to call out the abuse as ‘disgraceful’.
Maguire (right) showed his appreciation to the travelling England fans who backed him
Harry Maguire scored an own goal and was targeted by the Scotland fans during Tuesday night’s friendly win for England – but was robustly defended by Gareth Southgate
Maguire’s England team-mates also rallied round him after his own goal gifted Scotland a route back into Tuesday night’s friendly at Hampden Park.
His potential move to West Ham fell through earlier in the summer, leaving him behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof at Old Trafford.
Despite a lack of game time at Manchester United, the England defender was called up to Gareth Southgate’s squad to face Ukraine and Scotland this international break.
England fans have been divided on whether Maguire deserves his place in Gareth Southgate’s team, while younger players with regular match time are missing out.
