England played out a full-throttle 3-3 share of the spoils against Germany in their final match before November’s World Cup in Qatar, and the conversation over who will line-up against Iran in their opener is as intense as ever.
A centre-back pairing of Eric Dier and Harry Maguire, deployed by Southgate in both games, is certainly nothing to be leaping out one’s seat for, and the latter endured another torrid display thus exacerbating existing doubts over his form and match fitness.
Cast out almost immediately by new Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag, the club’s captain faces a tough period between now and the World Cup to attempt to force his way into the starting line-up and prove his suitability.
With the likes of Ben White and Fikayo Tomori waiting patiently in the shadows, Maguire’s latest blunder could not have come at a worse time.
After giving the ball away, failing to deal with 19-year-old Jamal Musiala’s trickery and then conceding a penalty all in the space of 10 seconds, England fans have bemoaned the 29-year-old’s inclusion in the starting line-up, with many fans claiming there are seemingly more suitable alternatives at this moment in time.
One fan gave a half-satirical half-serious take on one passage of play in which Maguire’s lack of positional awareness was glaringly obvious, almost leading to a goal for the Germans.
In a Sky Sports-esque analysis, the aggrieved Three Lions supporter gave a surprisingly detailed account of Maguire’s lapse to his girlfriend, who was recording the outburst on her phone. See below for the video:
Sky Sports should give this man a job. 😂😂 https://t.co/euVqUan60D
— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) September 27, 2022
England fans will be hoping either Maguire, or Southgate, will find a solution to their defensive woes which has seen them concede eight goals in the last three games.
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