Former Leicester City manager, Brendan Rodgers has blamed Manchester United fans for much of the criticism surrounding their defender Harry Maguire.
Maguire has been under the microscope at Old Trafford for the last 12 months after falling down the pecking order at the Red Devils and being stripped of the club’s captaincy.
However, the England international has continued to be picked by the Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate for whom he has consistently been a good performer. Maguire has had great success, playing a key role in the England squad that reached the Euro 2020 final and 2018 World Cup semi-final.
His most recent appearance for England came at Hampden Park in a 3-1 win over Scotland earlier this week.
However, he received another criticism as he scored an own goal against Scotland.
But Rodgers, who coached Maguire during their time together at Leicester City, has now leaped to the player’s defense, claiming that it was a shame that the center-back has been scrutinized so heavily by Man United fans.
“I know Harry [Maguire] well having worked with him and I find it a real shame if I am honest,” Rodgers was quoted by Manchester Evening News as saying.
“He is a good guy, he is obviously a top class player and the focus and noise that has been around him sadly has probably been created more by his own club’s supporters and that is spilled out into other supporters.
“I was at the game the other night (England vs Scotland at Hampden Park) – this is a guy who was in the team of the last World Cup – so he is not that bad a player! I know having worked with him – if you need someone by your side when it is tough, it is him.
“He is a great man, he is very honest to the game, I know why Gareth picks him, he’s been fantastic for England, a real soldier and a real leader to the young players.
“He is tough, mentally strong and he will prove throughout the rest of his career that he’s a very good player. As I say, you don’t go from being in the team of the World Cup, so he’s been recognised as a top international player, to people making fun of you.”
