England boss Southgate takes in Rugby League match during Manchester derby

Rather than watch two England-eligible players start at the Etihad, the former Middlesbrough defender chose a different sport entirely.

Millions of football fans all over the world tuned in to watch Thursday's Manchester derby. One person who didn't? England manager Gareth Southgate.

instead of attending the match between Manchester United and Manchester City, or even watching live on television, Southgate chose to watch a different sport altogether.

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Cameras spotted Southgate in the stands taking in the Rugby League match between Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield on Thursday.

In Southgate's defence, there were only two players of the starting 22 currently available for England duty: Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling.

Michael Carrick, who started for United, has retired from England, while Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard, Wayne Rooney and Luke Shaw all began on the bench for the Red Devils.

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