The travelling England fans threw their weight behind Harry Maguire ahead of the Three Lions' Nations League clash with Italy at San Siro on Friday night.
Supporters confined to the heavens in the palatial 80,000-seater stadium could be heard signing the Manchester United captain's name after Gareth Southgate chose to persist with the beleaguered defender. Maguire, 29, was one of three-centre backs deployed against Gli Azzurri, alongside Kyle Walker and Eric Dier, despite losing his place in the United XI this season.
Erik ten Hag has favoured Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in recent fixtures and the Red Devils have enjoyed an upturn in form, winning four consecutive Premier League games. Nonetheless, Maguire started against Italy and fans aimed to spur him on before kick-off by chanting his name.
It was a touching moment for the former Leicester man, who has been booed by supporters at club and international level over the last year. During United's pre-season tour of Australia this summer, some of the United faithful from down under furiously jeered at the out-of-sorts £80million star.
There were similar scenes at Wembley in March, when Maguire was booed by fans ahead of a friendly against Ivory Coast - a game which fell during a particularly-poor run of form for the centre-back. England manager Southgate tore into those who derided one of his players in his post-match press conference, saying: "I thought the reception was a joke. An absolute joke.
"I don't get it. What he has done for us is phenomenal. We're either all in this together or we're not. He’s in an England shirt and not only should you support a player in an England shirt regardless but, when you have played to the level he has and put in the performances he has, it should be total commitment.
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"The team are totally united and we recognise everyone has difficult moments, and he will come through it. They are real England fans and some are influenced by, I don't know, social media or ex-players influencing opinion. It has never been acceptable. Why are players going to play any better? Fans should get behind their team."
Given the warm reception Maguire received in Milan on Friday night, it appears Southgate's message has been taken on board by England fans. The Sheffield United academy graduate has been a key player for the Three Lions during the last two major tournaments, helping them reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and lining up in the final as England fell agonisingly short at Euro 2020 last year, losing to Italy in the final via a penalty shootout.
