“The reception was a joke”-England manager Gareth Southgate and players defend Harry Maguire after he faced backlash

England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has not had the best of campaigns this season. The 29 year old has faced media and fans scrutiny after every game he has played and has always been a subject of target if his team loses.

The Manchester United captain has not been up to the standard for his club but has often produced great performances while playing for England. The 29 year old has always stepped up for his nation when they needed him the most and has only played a handful of bad games ever since he made his debut 4 years back.

However, Harry Maguire was greeted with boos and jeers when his name was announced at Wembley Stadium while playing against Ivory Coast. The 29 year old faced backlash from the fans because of his poor performances for Manchester United in the league. Many fans and pundits even questioned why Maguire kept getting selected for England even if he was not playing well for his club.

Harry Maguire was in the starting 11 against Ivory Coast and played well but the fans did not have any of it. The 29 year old had to face abuse and backlash even after England won the game comfortably with goals from Ollie Watkins, Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings.

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England manager Gareth Southgate and players defend Harry Maguire after their game against Ivory Coast:

England manager Gareth Southgate and players defended Harry Maguire after the latter faced boos and backlash from the fans at Wembley Stadium. The 29 year old faced scrutiny for his poor performances for Manchester United and his teammates came to help on social media and in press conferences after the game.

Gareth Southgate said,” I thought the reception was a joke, an absolute joke. The way he has performed for us all this time has been absolutely phenomenon. I do not get it. We are either all in this together or we are not.”

Southgate added,” He is in an England shirt and not only should you support a player in an England shirt regardless, but when you’ve played at the level he has for us and put the performances in he has, it should be total commitment behind him. I do not get it at all. His performances was pretty faultless really. He stepped out from the back really well for his first goal, was involved in the second goal as well.”

England captain Harry Kane said,” We have worked hard to rebuild our connection with England fans in the last few years so to hear Harry Maguire booed at Wembley Stadium before kick off was just not right. The fact that he has been brilliant on the pitch and given us all so many great memories makes it even harder to understand. He doesn’t deserve that reception. He’s got full support in the changing room and should have the same from England fans.”

Jordan Henderson added,” I’m still baffled by what transpired at Wembley tonight. He is a brilliant player for England. He has been a key part of our success in the last 2 tournaments. It won’t have been possible without him. To be booed unnecessarily in his own stadium? What have we evolved to? What happened tonight was completely unacceptable. I consider myself lucky to share a changing room with him as someone who wants us to win.”

Harry Maguire’s teammate Declan Rice added,” Whoever booed tonight is a complete shame. Every time he’s worn the England shirt, Harry Maguire has been great. It has devolved into complete gibberish. Backing your own players is the key, especially before a big tournament.”

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