Featured Image Credit: Richard Heathcote / Staff via Getty
James Taylor
Wayne Rooney has spoken up in defence of a Manchester United star he said has been 'bullied' throughout his career.
United recorded a famous victory on Sunday, defeating arch-rivals Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield.
Bryan Mbeumo gave the visitors an early lead after just a minute, before Liverpool dominated much of the match, although United remained a threat on the counter.
Cody Gakpo equalised for the hosts 12 minutes from time, but with just six minutes remaining, Harry Maguire headed United back in front.
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Gakpo had another great opportunity to level the score, but United held on to record back-to-back wins for the first time under head coach Ruben Amorim.
For Maguire, it was arguably the highlight of his United career, as they won at Anfield for the first time in nine years.
United's record goalscorer Rooney spoke about Maguire, who has faced criticism and struggled at times since joining in 2019 for £80 million.
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Rooney said: "Today shows why he should be in the World Cup squad. And I really mean that. I think he's so important.
"I think with Harry, I would really struggle to have dealt with what he's been through. You know, he was a meme for years.
"I've seen him in Parliament over in Africa somewhere, where he's getting brought up in that, and they're laughing at him.
"So for him to have dealt with so much, he's incredibly strong-minded to have gone through that.
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"Then getting the armband taken off him and people laughing at him.
Rooney, who scored the winner the last time United won at Anfield in 2016, praised Maguire for his mental resilience.
He continued: "You're like this guy has been in World Cup teams of the tournament and been incredible for England, been really good for Man United and it's completely unfair and it was bullying.
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"He was getting bullied from all over the place and for him to have dealt with that and got through it and stuck with it, you'd have to say, 'You know what, that's a strong human being.
"And for him to get through that and his family to get through that and come out the other side and show his ability and quality and strength, I couldn't be happier for him."
Maguire is entering the final eight months of his United contract, although his camp remain confident about agreeing an extension.
After the victory at Anfield, he acknowledged it could be his last game at Liverpool for United, making the win even more significant for the Englishman.
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The 32-year-old celebrated with a knee slide in the corner before running over to celebrate with the United supporters.
Maguire described it as a "really special moment" to give back to the fans.