Harry Maguire has opened up on his concern for his family after he received a bomb threat to his home in April.
Police investigated the allegations and conducted a sweep of the house, as Maguire’s family moved out for a few days and the Manchester United captain was taken out of the team.
Speaking ahead of England’s upcoming Nations League fixtures, the centre-back insisted he is willing to take cricitism for his performances but that a line is crossed when that extends to impacting his family.
“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,” Maguire said.
“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.”
It has been a troubling season for Maguire both on and off the pitch, with the 29-year-old far from alone in struggling for form for Man United this season.
In March, Maguire was targeted for abuse while on England duty against Ivory Coast, as a small section of supporters at Wembley booed him when his name was read out and then when he touched the ball during the match.
Gareth Southgate slammed the fans involved while Jordan Henderson and Jack Grealish were among the players to leap to Maguire’s defence after the match, and the defender has admitted he was taken aback by the reception he received.
“From my England debut, the England fans have been amazing with me, I have had some amazing times,” Maguire said.
“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.”
