Brown: United trio can be proud of themselves
On this week’s episode of The Debate, Wes Brown, David May and journalist Laurie Whitwell came together to discuss England’s exit from the World Cup, among other things.
The panel talked about our England trio of Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw – all three of whom were involved in Gareth Southgate’s squad that travelled to Qatar this winter.
Our experts discussed each of the Reds who bowed out against France last Saturday, with Brown stating: “I think they’ve all contributed very well and they can be proud of themselves."
Our experts discussed each of the Reds who bowed out against France last Saturday, with Brown stating: “I think they’ve all contributed very well and they can be proud of themselves."
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Maguire played an integral role in England’s road to the last eight, starting each of the five games the Three Lions played. Our captain had a tough time in the lead-up to the tournament but responded with stand-out performances on the pitch.
“With everything that happened, with all the abuse he got, his character has grown so much,” Brown said.
“His mental side of things and that he’s just got on with the World Cup and not let it harm him in any way, will definitely do him a treat coming back to Man United. The manager knows he’ll be able to use him, he’ll hope that he is ready to go when he gets back to us.”
“With everything that happened, with all the abuse he got, his character has grown so much,” Brown said.
“His mental side of things and that he’s just got on with the World Cup and not let it harm him in any way, will definitely do him a treat coming back to Man United. The manager knows he’ll be able to use him, he’ll hope that he is ready to go when he gets back to us.”
May was equally attentive to the way our no.5 rose to the occasion for his nation.
“He stepped up to the plate and has been absolutely outstanding," said the ex-defender. "Outstanding.
“And as Wes said there, it can only be down to his character – and the fact that Erik ten Hag's been speaking to him as well over there, congratulating him on his performances, just goes to show how much the club will need him over the Christmas period."
Whitwell, a journalist for The Athletic, was also impressed with the confidence Maguire showed in Qatar, saying: “I think the thing that impressed me was the fact that he was trying to make things happen with England which, if your confidence is short, you’re going to shy away from that.”
“He stepped up to the plate and has been absolutely outstanding," said the ex-defender. "Outstanding.
“And as Wes said there, it can only be down to his character – and the fact that Erik ten Hag's been speaking to him as well over there, congratulating him on his performances, just goes to show how much the club will need him over the Christmas period."
Whitwell, a journalist for The Athletic, was also impressed with the confidence Maguire showed in Qatar, saying: “I think the thing that impressed me was the fact that he was trying to make things happen with England which, if your confidence is short, you’re going to shy away from that.”
Rashford, meanwhile, left Qatar as England’s joint-top scorer – along with Bukayo Saka – having netted three times, and Brown thinks our no.10 is back to his best.
“I know for a fact he was training over the summer – obviously the season before didn’t go to plan, you could see confidence levels were down, but he’s just got his head down and worked hard, gone where he’s needed to go, done what he’s needed to do, and just come back really sharp and focused.
“The position he plays, on the shoulder of the last defender, there’s not many people, when he’s in form, that can stop him. He’s got so much ability, so much pace to get in those positions and score goals, like he did for England.”
May echoed his thoughts, adding: “What I’ve loved [this season] is the way he’s taken his goals going through one-on-one, his decision-making has been outstanding. Being a centre-half, there’s nothing worse than someone who is frighteningly quick being on your shoulder, because the likes of [Christian] Eriksen, Bruno [Fernandes], they’ll find him.”
“I know for a fact he was training over the summer – obviously the season before didn’t go to plan, you could see confidence levels were down, but he’s just got his head down and worked hard, gone where he’s needed to go, done what he’s needed to do, and just come back really sharp and focused.
“The position he plays, on the shoulder of the last defender, there’s not many people, when he’s in form, that can stop him. He’s got so much ability, so much pace to get in those positions and score goals, like he did for England.”
May echoed his thoughts, adding: “What I’ve loved [this season] is the way he’s taken his goals going through one-on-one, his decision-making has been outstanding. Being a centre-half, there’s nothing worse than someone who is frighteningly quick being on your shoulder, because the likes of [Christian] Eriksen, Bruno [Fernandes], they’ll find him.”
Our third Red out in Qatar was Shaw who, like Maguire, featured in all five England games as the only recognised left-back in the squad – and Brown thinks the way he performed for his nation shows how much he has grown.
“You can see when he plays, his concentration levels, he looks fit, and the main thing is his confidence," stated the former England international.
“He could have easily slacked off in that World Cup and not had much of a problem playing every game, but he didn’t. He stepped up, he was getting up and down the wing, and contributed perfectly for the team.
“He was very solid, much didn’t get past him – he’ll be happy with his tournament.”
“You can see when he plays, his concentration levels, he looks fit, and the main thing is his confidence," stated the former England international.
“He could have easily slacked off in that World Cup and not had much of a problem playing every game, but he didn’t. He stepped up, he was getting up and down the wing, and contributed perfectly for the team.
“He was very solid, much didn’t get past him – he’ll be happy with his tournament.”
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