England fans have been criticised for booing Harry Maguire when his name was announced in the starting line-up prior to the 3-0 friendly win over the Ivory Coast at Wembley.
The Manchester United captain has been experiencing a torrid run of form for his club in recent months, with some Red Devils supporters unimpressed with the standard of his game all season. He was left out of his country's 2-1 win over Switzerland on Saturday but earned his 42nd cap on Tuesday evening.
The booing did not seem to affect his performance as he helped keep his 24th clean sheet in an England shirt. Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate lambasted those who jeered Maguire pre-match, calling his reception "an absolute joke."
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"I don't know how it benefits anybody. We're either all in it together or we're not," the 51-year-old added when speaking to Sky Sports.
"The way he has performed for us has been absolutely phenomenal. I don't get it.
"He's in an England shirt and not only should you support a player in an England shirt regardless, but when you've played at the level he has for us - and put the performances in he has - it should be total commitment behind him."
On Wednesday morning, several of Maguire's international teammates released statements condemning the booing. England captain Harry Kane said it was "just not right" and his colleague "didn't deserve that reception," while Liverpool FC skipper Jordan Henderson stated: "I can't get my head around it."
Maguire was an integral part of the England teams that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and an unprecedented Euros final last year. The booing was presumably in respect to his club form, with United now outside contenders for a top-four spot and thus qualification for next season's Champions League.
Ralf Rangnick's men crashed out of the competition at the Last 16 stage to Atletico Madrid earlier this month which has also fuelled the fire. However, Maguire has lost just one of the last 13 Premier League games he's featured in, helping to keep four clean sheets in that time.
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