Manchester United slam 'weird pantomine' booing of Harry Maguire

Manchester United have defended the booing of Harry Maguire during the side’s win against Crystal Palace in Melbourne, Australia on Tuesday, dismissing the jeers as ‘weird pantomine’.

Maguire was relentlessly booed during the first half every time he touched the ball but the jeers started before kick-off when his name was read out over the tannoy system.

United played in Melbourne just 72 hours earlier against Melbourne Victory and Maguire was not on the receiving end of any boos from United supporters.

It therefore came as a surprise to Maguire and his team-mates that he was suddenly the target as United beat Palace 3-1 Down Under.

Maguire suffered a dramatic drop in form last season and was blamed for United’s disastrous campaign by many supporters.

Erik ten Hag confirmed last week that Maguire will remain club captain, despite speculation that he would be stripped of the armband.

And it’s clear that the club are as keen to back Maguire as Ten Hag is, with the Red Devils dismissing the booing as ‘weird pantomine’ to the Telegraph.

The Dutchman has even suggested that Maguire will be first choice defender this term, despite the imminent arrival of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.

Raphael Varane has struggled with injuries since moving to Old Trafford, while Victor Lindelof is considered too lightweight.

Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have been given permission to leave the club, while Axel Tuanzebe is attracting attention from Bournemouth.