Harry Maguire has defended Jordan Henderson after the former Liverpool captain was booed by England fans this international break.
Speaking to Football Daily, the Manchester United defender backed his international teammate after Henderson was subject to boos and jeers from England fans following on from his move to Saudi Arabia.
The main source of the reception from England fans comes from Henderson’s previous support for the LGBT community, something that now seems hollow with the former Liverpool man moving to the Middle East.
Yet despite this valid reasoning for booing a player, Maguire has become the latest England figure to support Henderson following his exit from Liverpool.
Maguire said: “Well, proper England fans don’t boo players. Don’t boo players that play for your country and dedicate their life to playing and do everything they can to make this country have good memories.
“I know a lot of top England fans and the fans who have been with me since I made my debut and they’re right behind me and right being Jordan as well. You heard a lot of jeers, but they’re not real England fans.”
England fans have a right to boo Henderson despite Maguire’s comments
A point can be made on Maguire’s point that a player like Henderson shouldn’t be booed by England fans given how much the midfielder has played for the Three Lions over his career.
However, the former Liverpool star’s move to Saudi Arabia is simply bigger than football, and fans have a right to voice their frustration over a player who to many has gone from a hero to a villain this summer.
Whilst Maguire, of course, has to back his teammate, the United defender is missing the bigger picture, much like Gareth Southgate did earlier this week with his comments on Henderson being booed.
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