Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni has moved to defend Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, believing “anyone who goes there finds difficulty.”
[Bastoni has been speaking to Tuttosport](https://www.tuttosport.com/news/calcio/serie-a/inter/2025/04/03-139663036/bastoni_e_la_finale_champions_col_city_perderla_in_quel_modo_ha_fatto_tanto_male/3) when the subject of Maguire and abuse on social media was put to him.
Maguire has often found himself the target of hate and vitriol on social media from sections of the Manchester United fanbase during his time at the club so far.
The defender is very much a divisive figure, with some seeing the 32-year-old as a symbol of the problems that have beset the club in recent years.
This largely comes from the fact that Manchester United paid €80m+ to sign him from Leicester City in 2019.
There are few who believe that Maguire has proven to be value for money and disappointing performances have often led to certain sections of the fanbase to target him online.
The subject of players being targeted is a growing one thanks to the power social media has to bring down barriers that previously limited such criticism and Bastoni knows that all too well.
He, though, believes there is a deeper-rooted problem at Manchester United in particular, something he has noticed personally.
_“The Maguire situation? It’s a tough situation for him. It’s normal when you get paid a lot that the pressure increases,”_ he said.
_“We know it’s difficult at Manchester United, anyone who goes there finds themselves in difficulty._
_“I understand it a little, there’s often a lack of respect towards us. You can’t insult my family or wish me dead because I made a mistake. Social media has brought this unhealthy thing._
_“For example, I’m talking about the Inter fan who whistles at one of their players or insults him on social media, it’s counterproductive. I go and read the comments; it bothers me to see certain things._
_“Then maybe it happens that they find you around and ask you for a photo. It’s up to you to distinguish people’s criticisms. There’s a malice and envy that’s scary.”_