has insisted Harry Maguire will not be booed by fans and believes recent treatment of his captain may be down to unnecessarily high expectations.
Maguire was jeered by a section of the Wembley crowd during the warm-up before Tuesday’s international friendly clash with Ivory Coast, which the home side won 3-0.
While the centre-half has endured a disappointing season with United, he gave another solid display for his country with Gareth Southgate later branding the boos ‘an absolute joke’ afterwards.
Asked if he had spoken to Maguire over the incident, Rangnick told a press conference on Friday: ‘Not yet, but I speak regularly since I’m here he knows my position towards him, he’s been a very valuable player for the team and the club, the captain.
‘I didn’t understand what happened at Wembley, it won’t happen in our stadium with the Red Army.
‘He’s been playing well for Manchester United and England in the last couple of years. Gareth Southgate said something after the game and Harry Kane.
‘I didn’t watch the game but I heard what had happened after they announced the starting line up. Difficult to understand.’
On why Maguire is being targeted, Rangnick added: ‘I don’t think this is a personal thing, it hasn’t anything to do with Harry himself.
‘We know there are one or two players who have been criticised in the last few months, for example, Fred, a very important player for this team, playing regularly for the team and Brazil, I watched his game and he did well.
‘Maybe it’s still got to do with the high expectations around this club and people tend to compare with former players and legends. Fred, Scotty and Harry are important players and players with the right attitude.’
England boss Southgate condemned the booing following the win at Wembley midweek. ‘I thought the reception was a joke. An absolute joke. I don’t get it. What he has done for us is phenomenal.
‘We’re either all in this together or we’re not. He’s in an England shirt and not only should you support a player in an England shirt regardless but, when you have played to the level he has and put in the performances he has, it should be total commitment.
‘The team are totally united and we recognise everyone has difficult moments, and he will come through it.
‘They are real England fans and some are influenced by, I don’t know, social media or ex-players influencing opinion. It has never been acceptable. Why are players going to play any better? Fans should get behind their team.’
, .
,  and .
