Harry Maguire relived the horror of his family being at the centre of a bomb threat and insists a “line” was crossed.
Manchester United captain Maguire was targeted in April when police investigated allegations of a bomb threat at his family home. That was the low point in a turbulent season for the England defender who has been made public enemy No.1 because of United’s bad form.
Maguire was left “extremely shaken” and his family had to move out of the house for a few days until police declared it safe while the £80million centre-half was also rested for United’s next game. United star Maguire, the world’s most expensive defender, insists he will accept criticism - but says the bomb threat shows that things have got completely out of hand.
Maguire said: “Obviously I’m in a position where I’m going to be criticised, Manchester United paid a large sum of money for me, it is one of the most loved clubs in the world and also one of the most hated in the world as well.
“We know we are under the most scrutiny. I totally accept criticism when we concede goals or make mistakes, I’m big enough to accept people getting on my back and saying I can improve. There is a line where we are human beings, I do have a family. People ask if it affects me. My mentality is that it doesn’t affect me too much but when it comes to bomb threats, it is more about family.
“My fiancee Fern, I’m just happy my kids are at an age where they don’t read things and see things on the news. If my kids were an older age, they could see things and go to school and people are speaking about it, that is when it affects you a little bit more.”
England has always been a salvation for Maguire because he has never let his country down but even that changed during the friendly with Ivory Coast at Wembley in March.
A section of England fans booed his name when it was read out and each time he touched the ball. England boss Gareth Southgate described the fans as an “absolute joke” as he launched a passionate defence of his centre half.
Maguire said: “From my England debut, the England fans have been amazing with me, I have had some amazing times. I’ve been involved in some of the biggest games. I have been involved in the biggest games of our country’s recent history.
“The journey I have been on since my debut five years ago to now I have had amazing times with the fans, and I am not going to let the minority, I don’t know how many it was, 10-20 people doing that in the Ivory Coast game to affect my relationship with the England fans, no.
“I think I was more surprised rather than taking it all in, I was a bit shocked to be honest. Like I said, I've had such a good relationship with the England fans throughout my journey with the England team.
“I wouldn't say I was hurt and upset. Obviously I know my family and my friends might have been affected by it but I was more surprised really.
“There was a lot of young lads in the team that day, a lot of young people in the stands, lots of kids watching who inspire to grow up and be an England footballer so for them to hear that for somebody who's been involved in a such a big part of the journey over the last five years, it's sad to see.
“But I'm sure there will be many good times ahead when the England fans will show again their support and love because I've been an England fan in my time, I've been to the Euros and followed them in France and I know how passionate and how supportive they are of their country.”
