Manchester United Captain Booed by Own Fans in Unfortunate Scenes During Ivory Coast Friendly

• Harry Maguire was subjected by heavy jeers from England fans during the Ivory Coast game
• The 29-year old was also whistled every time he touched the ball during the 3-0 win for the Three Lions
• Jordan Henderson and Gareth Southgate were among the first to condemn England fans for their actions

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire experienced an unfortunate incident on Tuesday, March 29 as he was booed by his own fans prior to the friendly against Ivory Coast.

Maguire’s name was met by a chorus of jeers from England fans as it was being read out as part of Gareth Southgate’s starting XI.

Things did not get any easier for Maguire as the jeers continued every time he had a touch of the ball at Wembley Stadium.

The 29-year old has come under increasing pressure for his performances at club level, with Manchester United still struggling to get back to their glory days.

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On international level, however, Maguire has been integral for the England team, and was part of the squad that reached the World Cup semi-finals and Euros final.

Goals from Ollie Watkins, Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings were enough to see off Ivory Coast, but the friendly was tainted by unsavory jeers directed at Maguire.

Southgate’s take

England boss Gareth Southgate spoke after the game where he thoroughly condemned jeers from fans, describing it as an “absolute joke”.

"The reception was a joke, an absolute joke," said Southgate as quoted by BBC.

"I imagine if you asked a few of them why they did it they probably wouldn't even be able to answer. It's mob mentality. One end of the ground you have a hardcore group trying to get his name sung - it wasn't everybody.

"Players will look at that and think, that could be me. It makes players not want to come. It has happened in the past with John Barnes.

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Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson also released a statement on social media, hailing Maguire as an integral part of the England squad after the fan jeers.

Ronaldo and his wads march to Qatar

Elsewhere, the Manchester United duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes combined brilliantly to send Portugal to the World Cup thanks to a 2-0 win over North Macedonia.

Portugal had to go through two gruelling fixtures to earn their ticket for the global football extravaganza set for Qatar.

Ronaldo has now taken to social media to express his delight at seeing his home country qualify for the sixth straight World Cup since 1998.

“Goal achieved, we’re at the Qatar World Cup, we’re in our rightful place," Ronaldo posted on Instagram.