Maguire vows to banish the boos
BOOING and bomb threats — it has hardly been a season to remember for Harry Maguire. The Manchester United captain has just four more games with England to negotiate until he can finally shut the door on a campaign he will want to consign right to the back of his mind.
The bomb threat Maguire received to his home in April was truly despicable; no one deserves that — especially not the defender’s wife Fern Hawkins and two young children Lillie and Piper.
That, unquestionably, was the lowest point in a season full of disappointments for Maguire.
By his own admission, the defender’s form at Old Trafford has been poor. Perhaps we judge him by a higher standard. After all, he has arguably been England’s best central defender for a sustained period of time, certainly since 2018.
Some fans, though, appear to have a different view. It certainly looked that way in March when England hosted the Ivory Coast and Maguire was booed by his own supporters.
‘If that had happened earlier on in my career, I would’ve struggled that night,’ said Maguire.
‘There were lads making their debut and for them to hear that, having seen what I’ve done for my country over the last five years, it probably affects them as well.
‘That’s why it was disappointing. We spoke about it as a group. It’s happened in the past, I don’t want it to happen in the future.
‘I’ve been through ups and downs as captain of Manchester United. I know the scrutiny, I know the pressures and it’s something that I’ve learned to deal with.
‘I was surprised. Rather than taking it in, I was a bit shocked.’
Somehow, Maguire is not bitter about it all. There are many who would be, yet Maguire is adamant he will not let the experience ruin the relationship he believes he has nurtured with England’s fans.
‘I wouldn’t say I was hurt or upset,’ he said. ‘Obviously, I know my family and my friends might have been affected by it but I was more surprised.
‘But I’m sure there will be many good times ahead when the England fans will show their support and love again because I’ve been an England fan in my time, I’ve been to the Euros and followed them in France and I know how passionate and how supportive they are of their country.
‘From my debut, the England fans have been amazing with me. I have been involved in the biggest games in our country’s recent history. The journey I’ve been on since my debut five years ago to now, I’ve had amazing times.
‘I am not going to let the minority, I don’t know how many it was, affect my relationship with the England fans. I am not going to let that affect my relationship at all.’
It seems strange to say that at 29, with over 500 senior appearances including 42 England caps, Maguire has it all to prove. But that is the reality. His below-par year has raised doubts, and incoming United manager Erik ten Hag is eager to see how the captain responds.
‘It’s been a tough campaign, no hiding from that,’ said Maguire. ‘Football’s my life. I care about the club so much. I care about winning matches and taking the club to where it should be. I’m sure on the first day of pre-season, everybody will be doing their best to impress and coming back in shape. We know we are going to improve. The new manager will bring positive energy.’
● AT LEAST 30,000 Hungary fans will be in attendance for England’s match in Budapest on Saturday despite the home team’s stadium ban following racist behaviour. A UEFA loophole allows children to attend if accompanied by an adult and the Hungarian FA have had 30,000 children register.