[Image] Rival star takes a jibe at Lampard after criticism on ‘headlock’

Harry Maguire appears to take a swipe at Chelsea boss Frank Lampard

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard was not impressed after Harry Maguire got away with a headlock against Cesar Azpilicueta last Saturday.

VAR missed the incident and the United skipper went unpunished. Lampard was furious that VAR had missed the incident and pointed it out in his post-match presser.

Maguire, however, appears to have taken offence at the allegations that he had the Blues skipper in a headlock during the incident.

Maguire posted a photo of Chelsea defender Reece James holding him in the same match.

While the United skipper did not make any comment to accompany his Instagram story, the insinuation appears to be that he too had grounds to complain regarding offences that VAR may have missed.

The overlooked foul against Azpilicueta and a heroic performance from Edouard Mendy ensured the game ended scoreless after 90 minutes.

It is kind of ironic that the defender’s post actually goes on to confirm that Lampard had mentioned post-match.

“Holding is allowed, but headlocks don’t go on.”

It has become a common practice for players to hold onto their opponents during set-pieces. Although a grey area, the decision for such a transgression is usually in the favour of the defender unless something nasty occurs.

The same was hinted at by Lampard who said headlocks, however, crossed the line. What Maguire did has more of a place in WWE or a UFC ring than a football field.

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The United skipper has enjoyed a difficult start to season, thanks to both on-field and off-field issues.

He is bound to garner little sympathy from opponents or neutrals if he tries to defend shady tackles or methods of infringements. Unless he improves his conduct, rest assured, Lampard will not be the only opposition manager to take him to the task.