Harry Maguire: England boo boys won’t affect my relationship with fans

Harry Maguire will not let the boo boys damage his relationship with England supporters as the defender looks to put a “tough season” with Manchester United behind him.

Having been named in the team of the tournament following his key role in the Three Lions’ run to the Euro 2020 final, things quickly went awry for Maguire upon returning to Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked during a wretched season that ended with interim boss Ralf Rangnick leading United to a stuttering sixth-placed finish and their lowest-ever Premier League points tally.

Criticism at club level of captain Maguire spilled onto England duty in March, when the centre-back was left “surprised” and a “bit shocked” when booed by some of the Wembley support during the Ivory Coast friendly.

“From my England debut the England fans have been amazing with me,” he said. “I have had some amazing times.

“I’ve been involved in some of the biggest games. I have been involved in the biggest games of our country’s recent history.

“The journey I have been on since my debut five years ago to now I have had amazing times with the fans, and I am not going to let the minority – I don’t know how many it was, 10-20 people – doing that in the Ivory Coast game to affect my relationship with the England fans, no.

“I am not going to let that affect my relationship at all.”

England manager Gareth Southgate called that reception an “absolute joke” on a night when Maguire says he was more concerned about how that negativity would impact team-mates and aspirational young fans.

The 29-year-old admits he “would’ve struggled” had it happened earlier in his career but does not believe his mental resilience is down in part to the high-profile incident he was involved in two