Micah Richards came to Harry Maguire’s defence following criticisms by Roy Keane in an Irish pundit’s goal celebration.
Manchester United’s defender was the one who scored the first goal in a comfortable 5-0 victory over Albania at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate’s side is on the brink for qualification for the World Cup Qatar in Qatar next year, with only one point remaining from the final qualifier at San Marino on Monday.
Maguire, however, was not labelled. “embarrassing”Keane celebrates his fifth international win by cupping his ears.
(Image: Getty Images).
Richards used Twitter to defend Maguire. He wrote: “People: Footballers are like robots, they have no personality!
“Harry Maguire. Scores the opening goal for his country, celebrates with real passion whilst referencing those who have been criticising him.
“People: That’s embarrassing.”
He also used a confused gif to poke fun at Sky Sports pundit Keane.
Keane had made a slur at Maguire during the match, while he was covering England’s final home qualifier for ITV.
Is Harry Maguire’s celebration unfairly criticized? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
(Image: ITV)
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“When a player scores [and] puts his hands to his ears he’s like shutting the critics up, I think that’s embarrassing,” exclaimed Keane.
“He’s been a disgrace to Man United. He thinks he’s scoring there [and]He has shut down his critics, which is embarrassing.”
The former United captain has been one of Maguire’s harshest critics so far this season due to the Red Devils’ slow start to the season and branded the 28-year-old an “absolute disgrace” after the 5-0 loss to Liverpool last month.
Maguire himself addressed the celebration after the match and revealed that it had not been directed at anyone in particular.
“No, it wasn’t directed at no one, it was a knee slide, I obviously put my hands on my ears,” revealed Maguire.
“I’m Manchester United captain, of course, I’m going to get criticism when the team isn’t doing well. I fully expect that but it wasn’t directed at anyone.
“Scoring for your country is a great feeling. The first goal in a crucial qualifier, we knew how important the game was… how important the first goal was.”
