Manchester United captain Harry Maguire was booed at a recent pre-season friendly in Melbourne. The game, played against Crystal Palace, ended in a 3-1 victory for United.
The boos came after a dreadful 2021/22 campaign for the Red Devils, one that saw the great club capitulate towards the end of the season and miss out on the lucrative Champions League places. Maguire, often called United’s worst player, saw plenty of severe criticism across the ill-fated campaign.
Goals from Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho capped off an impressive performance for United as they continued their impressive pre-season under new manager Erik Ten Haag. Earlier in July, United thrashed archrivals Liverpool in Bangkok in the Dutchman’s first game on the touchline. It may have only been a friendly, but the positive result has inspired optimism in United fans.
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Disgraceful Scenes
However, the Crystal Palace game was marred by some Manchester United fans booing Harry Maguire. Presumably upset about Ten Haag’s decision to keep the captaincy on him, some supporters voiced their disapproval at the England defender in shocking, upsetting scenes.
It’s easy to forget that just a year ago, Maguire was included in the Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament and he was by far United’s best defender in the season prior. Though some of his performances have been poor, Maguire is far from the only underperformer at Old Trafford with Bruno Fernandes, Raphael Varane, Alex Telles, and Marcus Rashford all having poor seasons.
In fact, the entire squad, aside from David De Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo, were to blame for United’s dismal 21/22 season. Using Maguire as a scapegoat isn’t only disrespectful, but it’s also deeply unpatriotic.
Maguire’s Form Will Return
Maguire will most likely be starting England’s games during their World Cup run later this year. With England being heavy favorites and nailed-on winners, I do not understand why a percentage of his own fans will boo him. The defender’s confidence has most likely plummeted over the last few months and continual criticism of him may impact his performances in Qatar.
What the Manchester United fans need to do is simply keep calm and carry on. Maguire will come good and turn his form around. Ten Haag’s system will get the best out of him and, one day, the defender will be held in the same pantheon of other United centre-backs like Rio Ferdinand, Steve Bruce, and Nemanja Vidic. The current United captain has shown that, if used correctly, he’s capable of world-class performances and rock-solid form. Just you wait and see.
Pre-Season Schedule
Manchester United’s pre-season rolls on with games against Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid, and Royal Vallecano still to play this month. The games are being played in Australia where the Red Devils have significant support. Their first game of the new Premier League season will be played against Brighton, who demolished United 4-0 in May, at Old Trafford on August 7.
Booing Harry Maguire may seem like a hip, cool trend, but it could have grave consequences if it continues and could even disrupt England’s World Cup-winning campaign in November and December.
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