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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Ralf Rangnick breaks silence on Manchester United captain Harry Maguire being booed by England fans

Ralf Rangnick says Harry Maguire is a 'very valuable player' for Manchester United as he prepares to resume his captaincy at the club.

Maguire was booed by some England fans when his name was announced before their friendly victory over the Ivory Coast at Wembley on Tuesday, which the national team manager Gareth Southgate described as 'embarrassing'.

Although Maguire has had such a chastening season with United he was sarcastically cheered off by some when substituted against Atletico Madrid two weeks ago, Rangnick does not believe Maguire will receive a similar reception at Old Trafford from United fans.

Read more: Rangnick responds to Pogba's comments

Maguire is set to lead United against former club Leicester on Saturday, having endured a nightmare at the King Power Stadium in a 4-2 humbling in October.

When asked if he had spoken with Maguire, Rangnick said: "Not yet, but I speak regularly since I'm here. He knows my position towards him, he's been a very valuable player, and the captain of the team and the club, and also my captain.

"I didn't understand what was going on at Wembley, but I'm pretty sure it won't happen in our stadium with the Red Army behind the team and the club also behind the captain.

"He's a very important player. He's been playing well for Manchester United and for England in the last couple of years. Gareth Southgate said something after the game and Harry Kane. I didn't watch the game but I heard what had happened before the game there after they announced the starting line up. Difficult to understand.

"I don't speak to them in person but I'm pretty sure that this will not happen in our stadium. For it to happen in an international game before an international game is pretty unusual."

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