LUKE SHAW has backed Manchester United pal Harry Maguire after the England defender's errors cost the Three Lions the chance to beat Germany.
Maguire was at fault for bringing down Jamal Musiala before gifting the visitors a counter-attack goal in the second half.
Gareth Southgate's side went on to draw the game 3-3, coming from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 at one point, after Harry Kane's penalty.
Shaw said: "I will be honest, it is a tough period at the moment.
"Of course Harry is an amazing player, an amazing character. He has taken a lot of stick, probably more than I have ever seen before in football but he never hides away, he is always there.
"You can have people that can hide away and not want to be in the spotlight but he keeps putting himself in the spotlight and it shows the strength and character he has got because, come on, everyone knows that he is an unbelievable player."
Maguire later apologised on Instagram for his errors.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo sported a black eye in Portugal training after betting bloodied during their 4-0 win over Czech Republic.
Get all the latest news, updates and transfer gossip here…
- Alex Terrell
Game on
Jadon Sancho skipped watching England vs Germany – and instead posted a snap of FIFA 23.
The Manchester United winger was left out of the squad for the September international break by Gareth Southgate.
Sancho, 22, was a surprise omission after scoring three goals in his last six matches for United.
But as his pals drew 3-3 with Germany in the Nations League at Wembley – the Three Lions' last game before the World Cup – Sancho appeared to have his attention elsewhere.
The 23-cap star, who last featured for his country in October 2021, posted on his Instagram story around the same time as kick-off.
The photo simply showed a TV with the loading screen for the new FIFA 23 game – which is officially released today.
- Alex Terrell
Maguire apologises on Instagram
Harry Maguire has taken to social media to say sorry for his mistakes during England's 3-3 draw against Germany.
He got some love and support from Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
He said: "Mistakes are part of the game, I apologise.
"Great to fight back and spirit to get us back into the game by the lads.
"Take the positives and look forward to Qatar. The tough times will make us stronger."
- Alex Terrell
More Shaw on Maguire
He added: "At the moment the confidence might not be there because it might feel like the whole world is against him, it is tough for him but us as players, staff we are all behind him because he is a very important player and it shows Gareth's trust that he has played in both games.
Look at the Euros and what he has done, people need to understand he is a big part of the England team and they have to accept it.
Luke Shaw
- Alex Terrell
Shaw backs Maguire after horror show
Luke Shaw has rallied behind his Manchester United team-mate Harry Maguire, following the England defender's horror show in their 3-3 draw against Germany.
Maguire was responsible for two of the German goals as England went 2-0 down before roaring back to go 3-2 ahead, only to get pegged back late on.
Shaw said: "I will be honest, it is a tough period at the moment.
"Of course Harry is an amazing player, an amazing character.
"He has taken a lot of stick, probably more than I have ever seen before in football but he never hides away, he is always there.
"You can have people that can hide away and not want to be in the spotlight but he keeps putting himself in the spotlight and it shows the strength and character he has got because, come on, everyone knows that he is an unbelievable player."
- Etienne Fermie
Good morning Man Utd fans
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire and Nick Pope were guilty of slapstick defending — as three crazy clangers saw England go SIX competitive matches without a win for the first time.
England had produced a stunning comeback to going 2-0 down after Maguire’s errors in the second half.
Then keeper Pope also blundered to blow the chance for a perfect Wembley send-off to the World Cup.
England boss Gareth Southgate had staked his reputation on Manchester United man Maguire — despite the under-fire defender being axed by his club.
Fans also booed Maguire as his name was read out before kick-off.
And then he clumsily gave away the second-half penalty which gifted Germany the lead AND was at fault for their second goal after being robbed of the ball for the visitors to break from their own half.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries is flattered by interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.The Netherlands star, 26, told Dutch media outlet De Telegraaf: “The interest flatters me, of course.
“But my focus now is only on Inter.
“We want to win the Scudetto because we lost it last season.”
- Dylan Terry
Derby weekend in the Premier League
International football is now over for England until the World Cup in November.
And what a weekend of Premier League action we have in store coming up.
Two HUGE derby matches are to take place this Saturday and Sunday.
First off, Arsenal host Tottenham in the North London derby on Saturday lunchtime.
Then on Sunday, Manchester United travel to Manchester City in a blockbuster clash at the Etihad.
- Dylan Terry
Bellingham set to snub Premier League
Jude Bellingham would prefer a move to Real Madrid over the Premier League.
That is according to Marca, who claim the Borussia Dortmund man, 19, is keen to sign for Real and snub Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool who are also interested.
SunSport recently revealed that the in-demand midfielder could leave Dortmund for just £83million next summer.
That is if the entire fee is paid up front by one of the England international's suitors.
If he moves, Bellingham's "gestures" suggest that his preference is a switch to Real.
The reigning European champions reportedly asked the 19-year-old to reject a new a contract with Dortmund.
The ex-Bimingham star acted accordingly and also turned down his Premier League suitors' advances.
- Dylan Terry
Sancho skips England game to play FIFA
Jadon Sancho kipped watching England vs Germany – and instead posted a snap of FIFA 23.
The Manchester United winger was left out of the squad for the September international break by Gareth Southgate.
Sancho, 22, was a surprise omission after scoring three goals in his last six matches for United.
But as his pals lined up against Germany in the Nations League at Wembley – the Three Lions’ last game before the World Cup – Sancho appeared to have his attention elsewhere.
The 23-cap star, who last featured for his country in October 2021, posted on his Instagram story around the same time as kick-off.
The photo simply showed a TV with the loading screen for the new FIFA 23 game – which is officially released tomorrow.
- Dylan Terry
England 3-3 Germany
England and Germany have played out a thoroughly entertaining 3-3 draw at Wembley.
Ilkay Gundogan and Kai Havertz gave the visitors a 2-0 lead.
But strikes from Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Harry Kane looked to have turned things around for Gareth Southgate's men.
Then Nick Pope's error gifted Havertz an equaliser, with the two sides seeing out a draw in the closing stages.
- Dylan Terry
England fans slam Maguire
England fans slammed Harry Maguire after he gave away a penalty against Germany.
The defender was perhaps a surprise choice by Gareth Southgate and was booed by his own fans ahead of kick-off.
Maguire showed why after gifting away possession to Jamal Musiala in his own final third before bringing down the Bayern Munich star in the penalty area.
Supporters piled into the Manchester United captain as a result with one writing: "He’s so finished."
Another added: "Harry Maguire is always a mistake waiting to happen, total donkey, no wonder he's not in the United team."
And a third said: "Maguire is a terrible footballer."
- Dylan Terry
England 3-3 Germany
Oh no!
Nick Pope fumbles a routine effort and Kai Havertz taps home for his second and Germany's third.
A nightmare moment for the Newcastle keeper and we're all square once more.
- Dylan Terry
England 3-2 Germany
England have completed the turnaround!
Jude Bellingham is fouled in the box and the referee points to the spot after another VAR check.
Captain Harry Kane steps up and blasts the penalty into the top corner!
What a comeback!
- Dylan Terry
England 2-2 Germany
England are level in double quick time!
The two substitutes combine as Saka slips away from a couple of challenges and feeds Mount who curls a brilliant effort in at the near post.
Two goals in three minutes and what an introduction from Saka and Mount!
- Dylan Terry
England 1-2 Germany
England hit straight back and it's Luke Shaw!
The Manchester United left-back finds himself at the back post with time to take it down and fire beyond Ter Stegen.
Wembley is alive!
- Dylan Terry
England 0-2 Germany
Germany have doubled their lead against England at Wembley.
Maguire was once again caught on the ball and the visitors broke up the other end.
They eventually find Havertz on the edge of the box and the Chelsea forward whips a delicious effort into the top corner.
Silence at Wembley.
- Dylan Terry
England 0-1 Germany
Germany have taken the lead against England at Wembley.
Harry Maguire gave the ball away in a dangerous area and then proceeded to foul Jamal Musiala.
After a VAR check, the referee pointed to the spot and Ilkay Gundogan dispatched the penalty past Nick Pope.
- Dylan Terry
Half-time: England 0-0 Germany
It's another 45 minutes without a goal for England, but they have looked improve against Germany.
Raheem Sterling has come close on a couple of occasions, while Harry Kane also saw an ambitious effort loop just wide.
The hosts have been the better team at Wembley, but it remains goalless in London.
- Dylan Terry
England 0-0 Germany
Raheem Sterling has the best chance of the game so far as Manchester United man Luke Shaw's mesmeric pass finds the Chelsea forward, before he is denied brilliantly by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
Germany have had more of the ball, but England look dangerous on the break and are beginning to grow into the contest.
Half an hour played.
- Dylan Terry
Ferdinand slams Southgate's selection
Rio Ferdinand was outraged by Gareth Southgate's decision not to include Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fikayo Tomori in the matchday squad to face Germany.
The defensive pair were also left out against Italy so will not play a minute for England over the international break with the World Cup away.
Southgate opted for Reece James at right wing-back once again at Wembley and Alexander-Arnold's omission from the squad left Ferdinand perplexed.
Speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, Ferdinand remarked: "How is Trent not in the England squad? What’s going on here?
"I can’t have it. I don’t know how he has not taken him.
"He’s not even in the squad I don’t understand, it’s either "I know what he is, he’s brilliant, he is going to play anyway", or "He ain't for me", what is it?"
- Dylan Terry
Maguire booed by England fans
Harry Maguire's name has been loudly booed ahead of this evening's Uefa Nations League clash with Germany.
The under-fire Manchester United skipper remains a key man for England boss Gareth Southgate, despite being dropped for his club.
As his name was announced to the crowd 45 minutes before kick-off, boos were heard around Wembley Stadium.
Fans also flocked to social media to moan about the inclusion him in Monday night's team.
- Dylan Terry
England vs Germany team news
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw both start for England this evening.
England XI: Pope, James, Stones, Dier, Maguire, Shaw, Bellingham, Rice, Foden, Kane, Sterling.
Germany XI: Ter Stegen, Hofmann, Sule, Kehrer, Raum, Kimmich, Gundogan, Musiala, Schlotterbeck, Sane, Havertz.
- Dylan Terry
Portugal fans call for Ronaldo to be dropped
Portugal fans are calling for Cristiano Ronaldo to be dropped from the starting XI for their clash versus Spain.
The 37-year-old has been criticised by the Portuguese media and supporters of the national team due to recent poor performances.
Ronaldo started in their 4-0 win over the Czech Republic but he didn't score, gave away a penalty and picked up a nasty facial injury that has left him with a black eye.
Now, Portuguese newspaper A Bola has dedicated their back page to the dropping of Ronaldo discussion with the headline "Less Ronaldo, more Portugal" getting used.
The report explains how despite him being the captain, scoring 117 goals in 190 international caps, he should be benched due to a lack of minutes and goals this season.
They suggest that his Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes should step up into the leadership role on the pitch.
Ronaldo has struggled in Portugal's recent matches - Dylan Terry
Man Utd icon Keane admits his fitness is "embarrassing"
Roy Keane's cameo for Manchester United Legends was kept short as the one-time midfield dynamo's fitness levels are now "embarrassing".
He came on in the 75th minute of the clash against a team of Liverpool legends at Anfield on Saturday.
And speaking last month, Keane told Off The Ball: "I'm not fit. I'm far from fit. My fitness levels are actually very, very embarrassing.
"Just because I've not put on loads of weight doesn't mean to say I'm fit. I wouldn't really be able to do any running.
"Put it this way, I've been invited a number of times over the last few years to play legends games or whatever you want to call it.
"I'd find it really difficult because I wouldn't be able to get around. Too many injury problems."
- Dylan Terry
McTominay withdraws from Scotland squad
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has withdrawn from the Scotland squad.
He is not eligible for tonight's clash with Ukraine due to picking up a yellow card in the win over Ireland.
And Scotland manager Steve Clarke said: "It’s disappointing, for something that happened so late in the game.
"But we have plenty of cover, many midfield players, if it has to be Ryan Jack or Kenny McLean, we have good bodies to go into the midfield.
"It’s a blow to lose Scott because he is good for us but it’s a great chance for someone to play in a fantastic game."
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd players in England squad
Just two Manchester United players are in the England squad for tonight's game against Germany at Wembley.
Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire could both play a part in the final Nations League match before the World Cup.
But the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho will not feature as they missed out on Gareth Southgate's 29-man squad.
The four players that were included in the squad but have been left out of tonight's fixture are Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Ward-Prowse, Fikayo Tomori and Jarrod Bowen.
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