Harry Maguire sends defiant message to England fans after nightmare season at Man Utd

It has been the toughest season of Harry Maguire's career.

Maguire lost his form at Manchester United, fans turned on him, he suffered a crisis of confidence at Old Trafford and it felt like he was apologising every week. England has always been his salvation because he has never let his country down but even that changed during the friendly with Ivory Coast at Wembley in March.

A section of England fans booed his name when it was read out and each time he touched the ball. England boss Gareth Southgate described the fans as an "absolute joke" as he launched a passionate defence of his centre half.

Maguire said: "From my England debut, the England fans have been amazing with me, 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 think I was more surprised rather than taking it all in, I was a bit shocked to be honest. Like I said, I've had such a good relationship with the England fans throughout my journey with the England team. I wouldn't say I was hurt and upset. Obviously I know my family and my friends might have been affected by it but I was more surprised really.

"There was a lot of young lads in the team that day, a lot of young people in the stands, lots of kids watching who inspire to grow up and be an England footballer so for them to hear that for somebody who's been involved in a such a big part of the journey over the last five