During their 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace in a preseason friendly in Melbourne, Manchester United’s captain Harry Maguire received some jeers (Booed) from the crowd.
Manchester United faced Crystal Palace at Melbourne in their 3rd Pre-Season friendly as the Red Devils look for a brighter future under their new boss Erik ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag, the new manager, has announced that Harry Maguire will serve as the team’s captain this year. Lisandro Martinez, a new £57 million acquisition, will partner with the England international in the centre of defence.
However, some spectators in the 76,499-strong audience at the Melbourne Cricket Ground voiced their opinions during United’s victory with 10 players. Ten Hag’s team has received a tonne of support from Australian fans, some of whom have even travelled to Australia from the UK.
The concern will be that it follows United for the remainder of their preseason, which includes games in Perth on Saturday and Oslo on July 30, and then into the Premier League opener against Brighton at Old Trafford on August 7.
Although it is difficult to know who was doing the booing, which was audible every time Maguire touched the ball inside the first half hour. Some supporters criticised Maguire after his below-par performance the previous season.
After receiving a threat to his family in April, the 29-year-old’s residence was searched by authorities.
Donny Van de Beek comments on Maguire being booed
United midfielder Donny van de Beek said of the booing:
“I didn’t know really what happened. But if I saw the game today I think Harry was playing really well.”
“He was aggressive, he got so many balls, so that means he has a big personality.”
“He has a lot of experience, so I think that’s positive what he [showed], his performance today.”
Pre-Season: Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace
Apart from the response to Maguire, there were a lot of positives from this victory for United. The Red Devils improved their record to three wins in a row in preseason play and increased their goal total to 11.
Anthony Martial has scored in each of the three and benefited from Diogo Dalot’s outstanding close control and accurate first-half cross.
After the break, United added two more outstanding team goals. Jadon Sancho and Martial exchanged passes before Martial connected with Donny van de Beek, whose low cut-back Marcus Rashford guided into the far corner.
After some strong work from Rashford and Fred, Sancho received the assist from Martial. The former Borussia Dortmund attacker then ran past the Palace defence and applied a deft finish.
The way Palace scored their goal was the one glaring flaw, as United goalkeeper David de Gea, who had assumed the captaincy after Ten Hag replaced all of his outfield players, nevertheless enabled Joel Ward’s delicate downward header to get in.
Will Fish, a 19-year-old who had flown out to take Axel Tuanzebe’s place after the trip’s leg through Bangkok, was dismissed during the last round for knocking Victor Akinwale to the ground while he was the last man.
Ten Hag saw the final game of the previous campaign at Selhurst Park, when Palace defeated United thanks to a Wilfried Zaha strike. And now, Ten Hag’s team defeated the Eagles in a pre-season friendly.
