Harry Maguire has hit out at the minority of supporters who jeered Jordan Henderson over the international break – insisting “proper England fans don’t boo players”.
Henderson was booed off the Wembley pitch during Friday’s 1-0 friendly win over Australia, admitting it was “disappointing” to be on the receiving end of a negative reaction.
Eyebrows were raised when the 33-year-old swapped his role as Liverpool skipper for the Saudi Pro League, joining Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq in a controversial £12million deal during the summer.
The midfielder had been a high-profile supporter of LGBTQ+ rights during his time at Anfield and last month apologised for any hurt he caused by moving to a country where homosexuality is illegal.
There were murmurs when Henderson’s name was read out before the Australia clash but a vocal minority very audibly jeered when he was replaced in the second half and a smattering of boos were heard as he came off the bench in Tuesday’s 3-1 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Italy.
Maguire, who himself has been targeted by jeers while playing for his country in the past, said those who did turn on Henderson “aren’t England fans”.
“Proper England fans don’t boo players,” he told Sky Sports.
“Don’t boo players who dedicate their life to play and do everything they can to make this country have good memories and special moments for them and the fans and their families.
“I know a lot of top, top England fans and I know the England fans who have been with me ever since my debut.
“They’re right behind me and they’re right behind Jordan as well.
“You heard a lot of cheers and yes, a few jeers, but they aren’t England fans.”
Henderson – who was named captain against the Socceroos – and Maguire are likely to retain the faith of Gareth Southgate despite some negative reactions as the England boss said on the eve of the Italy game he could not pick his team on a “popularity contest”.
Real Madrid's Tchouameni out with sprained ankle
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has suffered an ankle sprain and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Spanish champions revealed on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old France international was replaced by compatriot Eduardo Camavinga in the 46th minute of their stunning 3-1 loss to AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Athletic subsequently reported Tchouameni is set to miss at least four weeks due to the injury, and Madrid have now confirmed the blow.
"Following tests carried out today by Real Madrid's Medical Services on our player Aurelien Tchouameni, he has been diagnosed with a sprained left ankle. His progress will be monitored," the club said in a statement.
Madrid, who are second in LaLiga with 24 points from 11 matches, nine fewer than leaders Barcelona who have played a game more, next host fifth-placed Osasuna on Saturday.
They then visit Leganes in the league after the international break and Liverpool in the Champions League on November 27.
France, meanwhile, will host Israel in the Nations League on November 14 and travel to Italy three days later.
Onana insists Man Utd will 'step up' under Amorim
Andre Onana is confident he and his "pragmatic" Manchester United team-mates will "step up" under incoming boss Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese will officially take over the reins at Old Trafford on November 11, succeeding Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed last week following a poor start to the season.
Amorim masterminded Sporting CP's 4-1 victory over Manchester City on Tuesday in what was his final home game in charge of the reigning Primeira Liga champions.
The 39-year-old's preferred formation is 3-4-3, compared to the 4-2-3-1 system utilised by Ten Hag and continued by interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.
However, Onana insists United's squad will have no problem adapting to the new tactics.
"I did watch [Sporting's game against City] yesterday, it was a great victory for them," the goalkeeper said ahead of United's Europa League clash with PAOK on Thursday. "It's a different system, but my team-mates are all pragmatic.
"I think everyone here is capable of playing in each system, so I don't think this will be an issue for us. We have big players, they will step up."
Meanwhile, ahead of his penultimate match in charge, Van Nistelrooy provided an update on pre-season signing Leny Yoro.
The defender, who is yet to make his competitive debut for the Red Devils, returned to full training on Wednesday having fractured his foot in August.
"He's been managed very well after his injury in pre-season," the interim boss said. "Obviously, we knew it was going to be a long one.
"It's a big moment for him as it's the first time that he's been back in full training. We will bring him back partially over the coming weeks, and look to get him on board as soon as possible."
Iraola prepared for 'very, very difficult game' away to Brentford
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola expects a difficult game away to Brentford on Saturday, despite having taken seven points from their last three matches against top-four finishers.
The Cherries inflicted Manchester City's first league defeat of the season last weekend, while they had done the same to Arsenal two weeks before and earned a point at Villa Park between those matches.
"I'm not going to lie, we didn't expect seven points. Definitely, we didn't expect these points," he told the Bournemouth Echo.
“But it's true that it’s not the end of anything. We have to recover tomorrow and next week we go Brentford away.
“The way they are playing at home, it's going to be a very, very difficult game again and we have to continue to try to give us chances because it's going to be very difficult. This is the Premier League,”
Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring against City last week and is Bournemouth's top scorer with four goals. Iraola will be looking for another performance from him at the Gtech Community Stadium.
“He has been playing very well all the season," said Iraola.
“I think we demand him a lot because I think he can give a lot, and today probably he scores and everyone gives him more recognition.”
“I think Antoine is going to be always dangerous for every centre back, every full back that he attacks."
But ahead of their trip to Brentford, there was no chance of Iraola getting carried away with his side's recent form.
“To win one game in the Premier League against any team is very difficult," he said.
“You have to do a lot of things well. So, we have to continue because we need more points and we want to continue building and take advantage because we've got these points now against these teams.
“So, let's try to take this advantage and not lose it straight away.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brentford – Bryan Mbeumo
Mbeumo has scored in all five of his Premier League appearances at home this season, with seven of his eight league goals coming at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Cameroonian is equal-second in the Premier League top scorer standings on eight, level with Chris Wood and three behind Erling Haaland.
Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo
Semenyo scored his fourth goal of the season last weekend, opening the scoring in Bournemouth's 2-1 victory at home to Manchester City.
The Ghanaian is his club's top scorer and has had the second-most shots (42) of any player in the Premier League this season.
MATCH PREDICTION: BRENTFORD WIN
Brentford come into this match having won four of their five Premier League home games this season, drawing the other. No side has picked up more home points in the competition this season so far than the Bees (13, level with Man City), while no side has scored more home goals than Thomas Frank’s side (15, level with Tottenham).
That isn't great news for Bournemouth, who have kept just one clean sheet in the Premier League this season. They are also yet to keep a clean sheet in any of their six games on the road in all competitions so far, while Bournemouth's only away win this season was a 3-2 victory over 16th-placed Everton in August
Brentford are also unbeaten in their last seven matches against Bournemouth (W5 D2), which is a run that stretches back to August 2014. In fact, Bournemouth haven't won a league game away to Brentford since October 2005 (D5 L4), in which they beat them 2-0 when both teams were in League One.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Brentford – 44.1%
Draw – 26.8%
Bournemouth – 29%
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