Manchester United fans have come out in defence of Harry Maguire after the centre-back faced boos from the crowd in their final pre-season game on Sunday.
The Man United and England international was unfortunately subjected to prolonged periods of boos from sections of the 50,000+ strong fans inside Dublin’s Aviva Stadium as he and his teammates faced Athletic Bilbao in a 1-1 draw.
It seemed as though the number five had just as good a reception as any when the squad walked out onto the pitch but the jeers were clearly audible after Maguire‘s mistake led to the opening goal.
After misplacing a short pass to United youngster Dan Gore, the Spanish side broke quickly and took the lead. You can hear the booing begin almost as soon as the ball goes in the back of the net.
While plenty of the visiting supporters in the Republic of Ireland’s national stadium seemed to be involved, many more were clearly behind the struggling centre-half as they tried to drown out the boos with cheers and applause.
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In contrast, a large chunk of the response online seemed fairly supportive, with many insisting, “You don’t have to like him, but you don’t need to boo him”, “Embarrassing booing one of your own players” and some even going so far as to say they “sickened and embarrassed that there was so many ‘fans’ booing Harry Maguire.”
Although they had no problem recognising that the 30-year-old was at fault for the goal, the overriding sentiment seemed to be: “you don’t boo your own players. Ever. Simple as that”.
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Even ex-pro turned pundit Andy Townsend came out in passionate defence of the former United captain, stating that the reaction was simply “too far”. The behaviour comes nearly a year on from Luke Shaw arguing that Maguire receives “more stick than anyone [he’s] ever seen in football”.
Many were also quick to point out that despite slipping up for the opening goal, Maguire also assisted Facundo Pellistri for the equaliser in the dying embers of the game and fought hard throughout the game to make up for his previous lapse in concentration.
Maguire was said to be training as many as “three times a day” to try and fight for his place in the starting line-up and was also applauded by countless Reds for his “classy response” to being stripped of the captaincy last month.
Everyone knows Maguire’s time at United hasn’t exactly been plain sailing but it’s fair to say his treatment at times has been questionable. Nevertheless, there are plenty that feel the negativity is misplaced and believe he still has plenty to offer.
Phil Foden picks up Premier League Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester City forward Phil Foden has picked up the Premier League’s Player of the Year award for the 2023/24 season.
Having enjoyed the best statistical campaign to date, with two games still left to play, the Stockport-born star City and England star has swept up his first-ever Premier League POTY award at the age of 23.
The attacking midfielder has already swept up Young Player of the Year twice in his career (2021 and 2022), which was awarded to former teammate Cole Palmer on Friday, and this accolade just goes to show how much of a first-team star he’s become over the past couple of years.
With both awards going to Manc footballers and Foden being the first Englishman to win it since Jamie Vardy in 2015/16, you’ll hear no complaints from us.
Foden has 25 goals and 11 assists this season, his highest tally ever, and with the chance of a domestic double still looming, he could be set for another unreal 12 months in sky blue.
Pep Guardiola’s side simply needs to beat West Ham this Sunday to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title and with a Manchester derby FA Cup final waiting for them next week, the local lad has a big fortnight ahead of him.
Having already become a treble winner with Man City last season, not to mention emerging as one of the first names on the team sheet for the Three Lions, he’s graduated from one of the most talented youngsters to one of the most impressive in Europe – and he’s got the stats to back it up.
Here’s hoping he can round off this year with some more silverware while wearing an England shirt. Here are some of his highlights from this season:
A huge congratulations to Phil Foden on winning the 23/24 Premier League Player of the Year; regardless of who you support, you can’t deny he’s been unreal this season.
In fact, his emergence as a senior figure and somewhat of a leader in this current City side has given us a lot faith for the summer and we’re more convinced than ever that Gareth Southgate must try and build around him if we stand a chance of going for in Euro 2024.
Is it coming home and will a lad from Stockport play a big part in bringing it here?
Cole Palmer wins Premier League’s Young Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester-born and bred footballer, Cole Palmer, has won the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award for 2023/24 following a spectacular breakthrough campaign.
The ex-Manchester City youth product made his big-money move to Chelsea at the start of this season and has been comfortably one of the best players in the league this year, once again proving the old adage that if you’re good enough you’re old enough.
Sitting second in the race for the Golden Boot behind former teammate Erling Haaland and shining as one of the most creative midfielders in Europe in his first full season, you could have banked on him winning it months ago.
🔵⭐️ OFFICIAL: Cole Palmer wins the award as Premier League Young Player of the Year. 🧊
Chelsea star has scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists in Premier League this season. pic.twitter.com/HYpthQiOU3
Having bagged a hattrick in Chelsea’s remarkable turnaround against Manchester United as well as bagging four against Everton, just to name a couple of his most impressive performances over the past 12 months, he doesn’t like a player who only made a handful of appearances last year.
With the 22-year-old fittingly netting 22 goals not to mention 10 assists and quickly establishing himself as Mauricio Pochettino’s main man, despite the multi-billion squad assembled around him, it’s been nothing short of a remarkable emergence onto the biggest stage.
Having earned his first senior international call-up through his efforts too, he now looks set to be one the players England fans are dying to see start at the Euros – the point where many Blues are now wondering whether they made a mistake letting him go.
Congratulations to the Wythenshawe native on his well-deserved award and we sincerely look forward to seeing what he does in an England shirt this summer.
As for who will pick up the outright Premier League Player of the Year, surely Palmer picking up the youth award means that Phil Foden is set to mop up the main prize?
A clean sweep for Manc footballers. We like the sound of that.