Maguire grateful for Beckham support in troubled times

Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (L) shakes hands with England’s midfielder Phil Foden (R) as he meets England’s striker Marcus Rashford (3L), England’s midfielder Declan Rice (2L), England’s defender Harry Maguire (2R) and England’s midfielder Phil Foden during an England training session at St George’s Park in Burton-on-Trent, central England, on October 10, 2023. – Seven years after awarding Euro-2024 to Germany, UEFA announced on October 10, 2023 the hosts for the next two editions: The United Kingdom and Ireland are due to host the tournament together in 2028, followed by the unprecedented tandem of Italy and Turkey in 2032. (Photo by Darren Staples / POOL / AFP)

Harry Maguire has thanked David Beckham after the former Manchester United star contacted the troubled England defender to offer support when he was booed by Scotland fans earlier this season.

Maguire has endured abuse from supporters across the country during his difficult spell at Old Trafford, but the penchant for picking on the centre-back reached a crescendo during England’s friendly in Scotland last month.

The 30-year-old was mercilessly goaded at Hampden Park after scoring an own goal in England’s 3-1 win.

Maguire laughed it off as a “little bit of banter” immediately after the match but his mother publicly came to his defence after growing tired of the relentless abuse of her son.

Former England captain Beckham also offered support to Maguire as he personally reached out to the former Leicester star, who has lost his place in the United defence, as well as the club captaincy, during Erik ten Hag’s reign.

Few have faced more difficult times in an England shirt than Beckham, who laid bare the pain he suffered after his 1998 World Cup red card against