boss Patrick Vieira has reassured Harry Maguire after the skipper was booed by England fans this week and has offered him advice on how to win back supporters.
The centre-back 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.
Maguire, who has struggled for United this season, gave a solid and assured display in the match – as he so often has in an England shirt – and manager Gareth Southgate branded the boos ‘an absolute joke’ afterwards.
legend Vieira is no stranger to boos himself – even getting jeered at Old Trafford during a testimonial for Paul Scholes back in 2011 – and he says it is an aspect of football Maguire must deal with and encouraged him to focus on the praise he received from Southgate.
Asked what he made of the incident, the Palace boss told reporters on Thursday: ‘I think it’s always difficult for players to get booed when you want to represent your country.
‘So of course it is a difficult situation for him because it’s not really pleasant. But at the same time, this is part of the game and I’m sure he has the strength to bounce back and show how good he is.
‘I don’t think he should be worried too much about it. The worry is always how you perform on the field.
‘The way to win back the fans is to perform for the national team and I think he did it really well [against Ivory Coast].
‘I think the important message was the quote from the manager, who said that under him [Maguire] has always performed and is really pleased with his performances.
‘I think that’s the most important thing that we have to keep in our mind. And all the talk around it I think is just part of the game.’
Maguire has been a key part of England’s success under Southgate and the Three Lions boss was furious with the boos, saying: ‘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.’
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