David Beckham ‘sent Harry Maguire a text telling him to keep his head up’ amid fan backlash after his own goal against Scotland – as ex-England captain ‘knows what it’s like to be targeted’ following his infamous red card at the 1998 World Cup

• Harry Maguire faced criticism for his own goal against Scotland in friendly
• David Beckham has sent him a supportive text after he received online abuse 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off! 

Former England captain David Beckham sent Harry Maguire a supportive text after his own goal during England’s friendly match against Scotland, according to reports.

Maguire, 30, has been the topic of debate this week after his calamitous own goal in the Three Lions’ 3-1 friendly win and the staunch defence launched by manager Gareth Southgate that followed.

And now, according to The Sun, Beckham has reached out to Maguire, urging him to silence the negativity after his own goal. 

The former skipper has first-hand experience dealing with negativity, following his red card against Argentina in England’s 1998 World Cup last-16 clash.

The outlet claim that a source said: ‘Becks told Harry to keep his head up. He knows what it’s like to be targeted.

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

According to reports, David Beckham sent a message of support to the England defender

The Man United defender accidentally poked the ball beyond his own goalkeeper in the game 

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‘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’. 

In a post on her Instagram story, Zoe Maguire wrote: ‘As a mum seeing the level of negative and abusive comments in which my son is receiving from some fans, pundits and the media is disgraceful and totally unacceptable to any walk of life never mind someone who works his socks off for club and country. 

‘I was there in the stand as usual, it’s not acceptable what’s been created, over nothing. I understand that in the football world there are ups and downs, positives and negatives but what Harry receives has gone far beyond “football”.

Beckham suffered similar backlash from fans after his infamous red card against Argentina during their 1998 World Cup last-16 clash

Gareth Southgate described Maguire as a ‘tower of strength’ for England after the match

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

England fans are divided on whether Maguire deserves his place in Gareth Southgate’s team

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