Mills hints Keane's Maguire criticism has contributed to fan backlash

Former England defender Danny Mills has suggested that Roy Keane is to blame for Harry Maguire's backlash from football supporters.

Maguire is enduring a season to forget - with the Manchester United captain often highlighted as a reason for their struggles this campaign by a section of Red Devils' supporters.

And the backlash the centre back has received reached also touched his displays at international level for England now after he was booed by fans before and during Tuesday's 3-0 friendly win over the Ivory Coast at Wembley.

The 29-year-old's name was greeted by a smattering of boos from the home crowd when it was announced ahead of kick-off.

There seemed to be further jeers for the Manchester United defender during his first few touches of the ball.

Maguire has been often criticised by Manchester United legend Keane this term and in season's gone by during his TV punditry work and Mills believes the Irishman's standing in the game has influenced fans' thinking.

'Roy Keane has massive influence, unbelievable,' Mills said on talkSPORT's Kick Off show. 'Roy Keane says it, it's gospel.

'I think when Roy Keane speaks we all sit up and listen. I think he's got huge gravitas in the game, for what he's achieved, for what he's done and everything he's gone through and achieved in the game.

'You do have to listen but he can be particularly vicious at times.

'No matter how he's played, if Roy Keane says he's had an absolute shocker and it's disgraceful and he's had a stinker we all go "well, he has done", even without watching the game ourselves and going through it.

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