Maguire explains his goal celebration after attack from pundits

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been heavily criticised this season, and one of his biggest critics is Roy Keane.

The 28-year-old skipper has been slammed by Roy Keane for his celebration in England’s 5-0 win over Albania.

The United skipper scored the opening goal for the Three Lions in the first half, and to celebrate his goal, he cupped his hands to the crowd and then put his fingers in his ears, which seemed to pass a message to his critics.

Roy Keane had slammed the 28-year-old and called his celebration an embarrassment while also labelling his performance in recent months as a disgrace.

But for Maguire, he has insisted that the celebration wasn’t targeted at anyone.

“No it wasn’t directed at anyone,” Maguire told ITV Sport. “It was a knee slide, obviously I put my hands on my ears, but of course it’s not.

“I’m Manchester United captain, of course I’m going to get criticism when the team isn’t doing well. I fully expect that, but of course it’s not directed at anyone.”

Explaining what the goal meant to him, Maguire added: “Scoring for your country is a great feeling, the first goal in a crucial qualifier – we knew how important the game was.

“We knew we had to win the game and [the early goal] really opened them up to come after us and then we punished them. So we knew how important the first goal was, and for me to score it is a really pleasing moment.”