Harry Maguire was booed by Man Utd fans with every touch he made, while boss Erik ten Hag got in to an X-rated rant at his own players.
The jeering aimed at the defender could be heard from the early stages of the game against Crystal Palace and continued every time he touched the ball at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
It will come as a blow to the England international who was recently given a vote of confidence by ten Hag, confirming that Maguire would remain as the club’s captain.
‘Harry Maguire is the captain. He’s an established captain, he’s achieved a lot of success, so I don’t doubt this issue,’ Ten Hag said.
@projectfootball_ United fans are making their feelings known in Australia #manchesterunited #maguire #football ♬ Tell me something that will piss me off – Artimus Wolz
The Dutch boss later added: ‘Harry is really impressive and I expect a lot from him. I always see the captaincy as an issue that I dictate.
‘The team building for me is an important point and I always talk about a group of leaders. The captain is a really important one and I’m happy with him.’
‘There is internal competition and that is what a club like Man United needs,’ he added.
‘I think [Maguire] is (a first-choice player). He’s proved it in the past but he has also to prove it in the present and in the future. I will support him everywhere I can. In the end, he has to do it by himself, and he has the qualities to do it.’
Maguire has no doubt been singled out for treatment in Melbourne due to him accidentally liking posts about Ronaldo not being happy at the club, though it is not the first time the 29-year-old has been the target of the boo-boys.
Maguire was also booed while on international duty with England during a period of poor form for Manchester United.
By the 30 minute mark, the boos appeared to subside a little but for Maguire the damage was always done despite his best efforts to block out the noise.
talkSPORT’s Trevor Sinclair defended Maguire following Ten Hag’s decision to keep him as captain and believes that the managerial upheaval at Old Trafford contributed to his dip in form last term.
When questioned on whether Maguire deserved to keep the armband, Sinclair said: “It depends what form you look at with Harry Maguire. If it’s from 2020/21 you’d say yeah absolutely. In the 2021/22 season after the Euros, he wasn’t great and I think he’d be the first person to hold his hand up.
“But I think he is a leader from what I seen in that 2020/21 season, he was superb and if he can get anywhere near that form and that leadership role, Ten Hag is right.
“He is a big guy, he speaks well. He’s one of those players who puts his head in where you could get hurt. He leads by example. He had a disappointing season last year but that doesn’t make him a bad player.
“He’s had three managers at Manchester United. He has Michael Carrick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. It’s not been ideal to ply your trade as a footballer.”
Meanwhile, fans got a glimpse of Erik ten Hag’s high expectations when the Manchester United manager showed just how ruthless he can be on the touchline.
He was heard shouting “what the f*ck are you doing” among many other things towards his players during their clash against Crystal Palace.
Erik ten Hag «What the Fuck are you doing?» Ruthless😂 pic.twitter.com/89MFaIaWj3
— Simen Sørensen (@simensorensen) July 19, 2022
Donny van de Beek believes Harry Maguire produced a ‘positive performance’ despite being subjected to booing during #MUFC’s pre-season clash with Crystal Palace. 🎙️🔴 pic.twitter.com/DnJSkFbc1h
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 19, 2022
He was also furious with David De Gea over poor distribution during the game, showing despite a 3-1 win, he wasn’t too satisfied with the pre-season performance on show.
“I think it’s pre-season and we are happy with the improvement we see but also you see a lot of work to do,” explained the boss. “We scored some wonderful goals and that is also true.
“I agree [that we are winning the ball higher up in the field in dangerous positions] and that is also the demand on the team. We press all day and, if we can, do that high up the pitch. But if we can’t, we get to do that in a lower block but we also have to press and do it together as a team.”
When asked to pinpoint a specific area that can be improved, Ten Hag replied: “The timing. When you start the press. For instance, I see still switches we can avoid and we can prepare a better press.
“And I think, also on the ball, we play well but you see, in the end, when it’s 2-0 or 3-0 up, the belief is increasing. And then, also on the ball, we can delay and we can postpone and we can fight opponents so they come out and we can speed up.
“The 2-0 [goal], especially, was a great goal.”
SEE MORE: Gary Neville blasts Man Utd fans for ‘BULLYING’ Harry Maguire over controversial decision
Twitter users reacted with Harry Maguire booed by Man Utd fans…
@adamd1991: Weird behaviour
@false9ii: At least he is sticking by his club and not trying to run away to a super team like Ronaldo
@EmmaFPL: Who would want him 😂
@o_f4567: Shocking from the fans. He’s a pretty shit cb, but booing your own players in pre season is terrible. Really no need for it, should support our players once they aren’t disrespecting the club or any other players/coaches 👍🏽
@KarlBuzz16: State of that club
@KPBAFC: That’s embarrassing
@samprior1882: Honestly don’t get the hate for this guy from some fans
@OfficialScottyT: The absolute state of their fanbase.
@1984_mjb:
Come home @HarryMaguire93 – It’s for the best.
Oh, and tell @kylewalker2 to join you
#sufc #twitterblades
@chBWFC: The hounding of this man is ridiculous now. He’s only a bloke who plays football. Some people need to give their head a wobble.
@Ford4Caz: Pathetic! Never understand booing your own player unless you really think they are making no effort. Hardly going to inspire him to do well, or help his confidence.
@philipbackhouse: You need to get out of that club @HarryMaguire93 their fans really are toxic.
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