Topics: Gareth Southgate, Harry Kane, Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson, England, Ivory Coast, International Friendly
The Three Lions center-back endured an unfriendly reception at Wembley in the 3-0 win over Ivory Coast, sparking anger from the manager and captain Harry Kane.

England maintained their perfect preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with the European giants taking on, and beating, Ivory Coast in an international friendly, having already booked their ticket to Qatar 2022.

The Three Lions overcame Switzerland 2-1 a few days back before brushing aside the Elephants at Wembley, thrashing the African giants 3-0 in a convincing display. The Euro 2021 runners-up rotated heavily, giving the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Jude Bellingham, Ollie Watkins, Kyle Walker-Peters, Conor Gallagher, and James Ward-Prowse crucial minutes, yet manager Gareth Southgate was left upset after the game.

However, the gaffer's anger had nothing to do with the game or how any of his players performed. Instead, the England boss wasn't pleased with the reception Harry Maguire got at Wembley Stadium after the Manchester United center-back returned to the starting lineup.

Despite being one of the national team's most outstanding defenders in their last two major tournaments – the 2018 FIFA World Cup, in which they reached the semifinals, and Euro 2021, in which they reached the final – fans have called for the Old Trafford ace to be dropped from the squad altogether due to his atrocious club form.

However, Southgate did not adhere to these cries and handed him a start against Ivory Coast, with the world's most expensive defender eventually getting booed by the fans at Wembley. The manager could not hide his anger, hitting out at the supporters after full-time, with a few other senior figures also criticizing the reception Maguire endured from England's own fan base.

"I thought the reception was a joke, an absolute joke," Southgate said while speaking to the media.

"The way he has performed for us has been absolutely phenomenal. I don't get it. We're either all in this together or we're not.

"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. I don't get it at all.

"His performance was pretty faultless really. He stepped out from the back really well for his first goal, was involved in the second one too. So, yeah. The team are totally united. We recognize everyone has difficult moments but he's a top player and he will come through it.

"They are real England fans and some are influenced by whatever - social media or players that played previously who are influencing opinion. The club situation is obviously very difficult but he's in an England shirt. 

"I remember decades ago a few players being booed in an England shirt and it's never been acceptable to me. Fans should always get behind their team."

Gareth wasn't the only one to leap to the Old Trafford ace's defense, with Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, and national team captain Harry Kane all issuing statements in support of their teammate.

"We've worked hard to rebuild our connection with England fans in the last few years so to hear Harry Maguire booed at Wembley before kick-off was just not right," Kane wrote on Twitter. 

"The fact that he's been brilliant on the pitch and given us all so many great memories makes it even harder to understand. He doesn't deserve that reception. He's got full support in the changing room and should have the same from every England fan."

With the international break coming to a wrap, Maguire will return to Manchester United soon. The Englishman will need to quickly rekindle his form at the Theatre of Dreams amid the Red Devils' heated top-four race, as the Premier League giants are in grave danger of missing out on the UEFA Champions League next season.