Arsenal icon Martin Keown has defended Harry Maguire after the Manchester United captain endured a difficult season off and on the pitch.
Almost every United player struggled for form in 2021/22, as the club slumped to sixth in the table and their lowest points tally in Premier League history, but it was Maguire who was singled out for much of the criticism.
The 29-year-old was booed by England fans during the March internationals and the following month received a bomb threat, something the player described as having crossed a serious line.
Keown completely agrees, writing in his column for the MailOnline: ‘The criticism of Harry Maguire, and the way his career has been picked apart by people who think they know better, is disrespectful.
‘Fans and pundits can provide constructive criticism but at times, it’s felt like comments made about Maguire have fallen more into the abuse category and that’s wrong.
‘This is a good player who has taken on the pressure of captaining Manchester United and a central defender who has earned the trust of Gareth Southgate because he has been dependable.
‘I was criticised when I made a mistake — that comes with the territory of being a centre half and playing for a big club — but I didn’t have to contend with social media which can be more impactful and personal.
‘He’s got a good network of family and friends to help him cope with the deluge of comments. They’re the people he needs to listen to — not the outside noise.
‘Maguire is more than capable of pulling himself out of this difficult patch and enjoying his career again.’
Maguire will be hoping to regain his form ahead of next season in order to win the trust of new Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag, and Keown has urged the Dutchman to play to his captain’s strengths.
‘The way Ralf Rangnick wanted him to play, in a pressing system with a high defensive line, was different for Maguire and he looked a little uncomfortable with it,’ he added.
‘You hope Erik ten Hag will use him properly, noticing the statistics state United concede less than a goal a game and have lost just twice when Maguire and Raphael Varane start together.’
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