Ralf: Harry knows my position towards him

Maguire was booed by a section of England ‘supporters’ prior to the midweek friendly against Ivory Coast and, soon after, Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate publicly defended our no.5. He also criticised those fans for their behaviour.

A number of senior Three Lions players including Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish also got behind Harry, reminding fans of his influential role in the international side.

Despite the unsavoury incident, Maguire tweeted that he’d had an “enjoyable” week with an English team he is proud to represent and he is now back at Carrington, preparing to face his former club Leicester City in United’s return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon. 

In a press conference to preview that occasion, Rangnick was asked by reporters if he has spoken to the skipper about his week: “Not yet, but I speak regularly [with him] since I'm here, so he knows my position towards him,” said Ralf. 

“He's been a very valuable player and the captain of the team and the club and he is also my captain. I didn't understand what was going on actually at Wembley, but I'm pretty sure this will not happen in our stadium with the Red Army behind the team and the club, and also behind their captain. 

“For me, he's a very important player, he's been playing well for Manchester United and for England in the last couple of years and therefore, I think Gareth Southgate said something after the game and Harry Kane, so for me, it was... I didn't watch the game actually, but I heard what had happened before the game there when they announced the starting line-up. Difficult to understand.”

Ralf was then asked if he understands why Maguire is the focus of so much negative attention and our interim manager said:  “I don't think that this is a personal thing, it hasn't got anything to do with Harry himself. We all know, or you know probably better than I do, that there were one or two other players who have been criticised in the last, not only months but also the last one or two years. 

“For example, Fred, for me, a very important player for this team, a very valuable player, regularly playing in the starting XI for Brazil. And again, I also watched his two games, or his first game, he played in the first game from the start and did well. 

“Maybe it's still got to do with the high expectations around this club, maybe people just tend to compare with former legends or former big players, I don't know, maybe it's got to do with that. 

“I can only tell you both players, Fred, you can also speak about Scotty, and Harry, they are both important players and players with the right attitude.”

United v Leicester City kicks off at 17:30 BST on Saturday.