England manager Gareth Southgate watches rugby league instead of Manchester derby… where SEVEN of his men played

ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate chose to watch rugby league instead of the Manchester derby – where SEVEN of his squad played.

On the face of it, the national manager watching a game from the stands is like any other matchday – although while he did take in a game, it was of an entirely different sport.

Reuters

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Southgate chose to be at Headingley to watch Leeds Rhinos take on Huddersfield Giants in the Super League 45 miles across the Pennines.

But in both squads at the Premier League clash at the Etihad, where the Manchester sides are battling to get into the top four, were a large chunk of his side.

Reuters

Wayne Rooney, Raheem Sterling, Michael Carrick, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young will be at the front of his mind as full internationals.

EPA

Reuters

The Three Lions coach in his last squad picked five players from the Manchester clubs – but perhaps he was doing a reconnaissance mission to see how other sports operate.

It still did not impress many England fans, who believe he should be watching as many matches as he can before the next fixture on June 10 away to Scotland in a World Cup qualifier.

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Southgate did not however miss any goals – although it was a feisty affair with Marouane Fellaini seeing red for a moment of madness with a headbutt on Sergio Aguero.

He did witness a cracker in the rugby though, as strugglers Huddersfield bounced back from their humiliating Challenge Cup exit against Swinton to stun second placed Leeds 31-12.