Manchester United linked pair Declan Rice and Harry Kane have moved to defend Harry Maguire after the £80million man was booed by England supporters at Wembley on Tuesday night. Before the win over Ivory Coast, the United captain was strangely jeered when his name was read out prior to kick-off.
It continued when Maguire had his first touch on the pitch. While he has struggled for his best form in a United shirt this season, the 29-year-old has generally shone for the Three Lions and was a stand-out during runs to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and Euro 2020 final.
Rice — who has been earmarked as a priority transfer target for United this summer — underlined that success and led calls for booing Maguire to stop. Kane and Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish were among those to follow up that dressing room defence for the centre-back, as well as Liverpool's Jordan Henderson.
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Addressing his 397,300 followers on Twitter, midfielder Rice said: "Total embarrassment from whoever booed. Harry Maguire has been incredible every single time he's put on the England shirt. Absolute nonsense it is becoming. Back your own players. Especially with a major tournament coming up."
England captain Kane added: "We've worked hard to rebuild our connection with England fans in the last few years so to hear Harry Maguire booed at Wembley before kick-off was just not right. The fact that he has been brilliant on the pitch and given us all so many great memories makes it even harder to understand.
"He doesn't deserve that reception. He's got our full support in the changing room - and should have the same from every England fan."
In addition to those social media posts, City playmaker Grealish was pressed about the issue during his post-match interview. He said: "Harry has been unbelievable for this country — in the World Cup, the Euros, he has been brilliant.
"Our first two goals, the first one comes from him driving with the ball and the second one comes from him driving a little bit. Not every centre-back has got those qualities."
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