Harry Maguire ‘bandwagon’ claim sparks heated on-air clash between Gabby Agbonlahor and England fan

England fans continually criticising Harry Maguire have been told to call it a day by former Three Lions striker Gabby Agbonlahor.

The Manchester United defender played in both of England’s matches over the international break, despite his distinct lack of minutes at club level.

Maguire is here to stayGetty

Agbonlahor has told fans to deal with itGetty

Maguire looked comfortable in a 1-1 Euro 2024 qualifying draw with Ukraine, but was then jeered as a second-half substitute in a friendly against Scotland, and went on to score an own-goal in a 3-1 win.

England manager Gareth Southgate clearly has a very different view to United’s Erik ten Hag on the 30-year-old, and it seems that won’t change any time soon.

Aston Villa legend and talkSPORT host Agbonlahor has accepted that as fact, and thinks it’s time other fans of the national team do the same.

Maguire’s mum even released a statement on Instagram to question the level of abuse aimed at her son in recent days.

“I think a lot of the fans are sheep to be honest,” Agbonlahor said. “They get on the bandwagon, let’s boo Harry Maguire, look at the social media clips, give him stick.

“You’ve got pundits who just can’t handle the fact that Harry Maguire is going to be involved with England and does well when he plays. 

“He scored an own-goal, so what? It happens, defenders score own-goals, they won the game.

“Everyone’s got to get their heads around it, even if he only makes 15 starts for Manchester United this season, he’s going to be on that plane to Germany. 

“Get your head round it, stop talking about it, maybe he won’t start but he will be there in the summer, so get on with it, give him some support, because what if this affects him, all this negativity from fans, from pundits? 

“If he’s our centre half in the latter stages of the Euros, you want to give him confidence and you want to give him a boost so everyone’s got to jump off of the bandwagon.”

That wasn’t all for Agbonlahor, though, whose ‘sheep’ comment riled up one talkSPORT caller in particular.

A caller called Dan, who is a fan of the West Ham side Maguire almost joined during the summer window, asked Agbonlahor what his ‘obsession’ is with the defender, and why he’s so keen to protect a ‘bang average footballer’.

The former England striker then took exception to Dan’s claim that Maguire has only played well against ‘binmen’ teams, replying: “He’s doing a job for England and got to the semi-finals, got to the finals of the Euros.

“In these qualifiers we’ve conceded two goals in five games, so I don’t see what the problem is.”

Dan then acknowledged that England’s group opponents Italy aren’t ‘binmen’ but are ‘alright’.

But when questioned on the sheep comment, Agbonlahor finished: “Look, when I watch Manchester United, yes he’s not been at his best.

“But are you telling be [Lisandro] Martinez has been good this season? [Raphael] Varane? [Victor] Lindelof? They’ve been a shambles at the back.”