Reflecting on the Harry Maguire drama, Michael Owen wrote on X: "I've long wondered why Maguire gets so much abuse.
"I'm pleased Gareth Southgate has said what he's said. I don't know Harry that well personally but he's a very good player.
"And he appears to be a decent person. He's never let England down yet he seems to be ridiculed constantly. Very sad."
The abuse against Maguire reached a boiling point earlier this week with the player getting jeered by both sets of fans after scoring an own goal in England's 3–1 win against Scotland away from home.
The centre-back is now back at Manchester United where he was stripped of the captain's armband by Erik ten Hag this summer. The 30-year-old is expected to stay on the bench when the Red Devils host Brighton on Saturday.
