Harry Maguire comes to Cristiano Ronaldo’s defence after Man United exit

Harry Maguire has become one of the first Manchester United players to speak about Cristiano Ronaldo since the forward’s controversial exit from the club earlier this week.

Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford in sensational fashion late in the 2021 summer transfer window but his homecoming did not go according to plan.

Just 12 months into his second spell, he made it fairly public that he was interested in a move away and after failing to engineer a transfer, his explosive interview with TV host Piers Morgan earlier this month resulted in the termination of his contract.

Ronaldo is now a free agent and he may view the interview as necessary to get what he wanted but it has provoked heavy criticism aimed towards the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar.

Speaking ahead of England’s crucial game against the USA on Friday, former team-mate Harry Maguire has jumped to Ronaldo’s defence amid the criticism.

“As a footballer nobody likes being criticised but I think it’s part and parcel of the game,” Maguire is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

“I’ve played with Cristiano Ronaldo for the last couple of years and he’s one of the greatest players to ever kick a football.

“He gets criticised daily, so if it’s going to happen to him and the position I’m in playing for Manchester United, it’s going to happen to each and every one of us. You’ve just got to work hard, go into training, do your best and that’s all you can do.”

Ronaldo became the first player to score in five different World Cup tournaments earlier on Thursday and Maguire will be hoping to keep his good form going on Friday.

The United skipper was withdrawn from England’s 6-2 win over Iran with what is believed to be an illness but he is said to have recovered well and is ready to feature again.

England could book their place in the next phase of the World Cup with victory depending on the result of the other game between Wales and Iran.

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