Booing Harry Maguire on Manchester United pre-season tour is counter-productive

It would be fair to say that Harry Maguire is one of the most polarising figures at Manchester United.

On one side of the fan divide there is a strong hatred towards the United captain while on the other there isn't so much as love but more of a lukewarm reception to him. Since arriving in 2019, Maguire has become one of the few constants in what has been some of the worst Reds squads in Premier League history.

If you were to ask him how he feels his time has gone in Manchester, I am sure he would agree with fans who believe he has not played well enough consistently to warrant a place in the team, never mind the captaincy. Perhaps it is the armband which sees the English defender attract such strong criticism.

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Still, Erik ten Hag has decided to keep the captain's armband with Maguire for the forthcoming season.

This summer was probably the ideal moment to take the pressures of the armband away from Maguire and although it does show trust from Ten Hag in the 29-year-old, a fresh face as the dressing room leader would not have gone amiss. Even if Ten Hag had replaced Maguire as captain though, it seems unlikely that it would have prevented the scenes we saw yesterday.

Before a ball was kicked, Maguire was jeered by the supporters in Melbourne as his name was read out over the tannoy. He was then serenaded with boos during his first few touches of the ball when a foot had not yet been put wrong.

At this stage it seems as though fans are not sure exactly sure why they are booing the centre-back. Jeering Maguire is now as part and parcel of the matchday experience for some as having a pre-match pint.

Ultimately supporters pay substantial amounts of money to watch United