Lee Dixon found himself at the centre of a social media storm during England's World Cup warm-up victory over New Zealand on Saturday night after comments about Kobbie Mainoo left supporters fuming.
England won 1-0 thanks to another decisive goal from Harry Kane, though the match itself offered little excitement as Thomas Tuchel continued his preparations for the World Cup.
The Three Lions boss treated the contest largely as an exercise in fitness and experimentation, selecting one starting XI for the first half before changing his entire side at the interval.
With soaring temperatures making conditions difficult and the tournament just around the corner, there were few major conclusions to draw from the performance.
Yet one talking point quickly emerged after Dixon's assessment of Manchester United midfielder Mainoo.
The 21-year-old has endured a topsy-turvy 18 months at club level.
After becoming a key figure for England during Euro 2024, Mainoo struggled for consistent opportunities under former Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim. His fortunes changed dramatically following Michael Carrick's arrival at Old Trafford in January, however.
Mainoo forced his way back into the starting picture and became an important part of United's resurgence, featuring regularly as the club secured a top-three Premier League finish.
Lee Dixon found himself at the centre of a social media storm during England's World Cup warm-up victory over New Zealand on Saturday night after comments about Kobbie Mainoo left supporters fuming
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Kobbie Mainoo pictured playing for England against New Zealand on Saturday night
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His strong form was enough to earn a place in Tuchel's World Cup squad ahead of several high-profile rivals, including Adam Wharton and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Against New Zealand, Mainoo produced a composed first-half display before being withdrawn as part of Tuchel's planned wholesale changes.
The midfielder saw plenty of the ball, completing the vast majority of his passes and helping England control possession during a largely uneventful opening 45 minutes.
Despite that, Dixon appeared unconvinced during ITV's live coverage.
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England's record at the World Cup | GETTY/ GB NEWSThe former Arsenal defender suggested Mainoo can struggle when matches are played at a higher tempo, a comment that quickly triggered a wave of criticism online.
Supporters rushed to defend the Manchester United star, with many accusing Dixon of offering an unfair assessment.
One fan wrote: "Lee Dixon with lazy analysis on Mainoo."
Another added: "Wow, what a lazy take. How are some of these guys qualified for these roles?"
A third supporter argued Mainoo possesses qualities that are often overlooked.
"Kobbie's skillset is something rare and not many players have the ability to do," they posted.
They continued: "In Spain, he would be lauded."
Others suggested Dixon had already formed an opinion before the midfielder had even settled into the game.
Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game after England overcame New Zealand in Florida | PA"He’s seething before he even got a touch. Weird," one viewer claimed.
"Lazy take. Mainoo reads the game two steps ahead. Pace isn't just sprint speed," were the words of another.
A further fan expressed disbelief at the criticism, posting: "Crazy. He's played brilliant so far."
Whether Mainoo now earns a starting role remains to be seen.
Declan Rice is expected to be one of the first names on Tuchel's teamsheet, while Elliot Anderson has strengthened his own claims after an impressive campaign.
England will return to action against Costa Rice on Wednesday night (9pm). They're scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17 as they target a first major trophy since 1966.