Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has received the backing of former Liverpool star Graeme Souness, who has hit out at the ‘vile’ abuse directed at the defender.
The England international has endured a difficult year at Old Trafford and was dropped by manager Erik ten Hag after United's 4-0 thrashing at Brentford. Since then, the club has embarked on a four-game winning run, with a new central defensive partnership of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez delivering a number of impressive showings.
Maguire was criticised for his personal performance in England's Nations League match against Germany earlier this week, with the 29-year-old conceding a penalty in the 3-3 draw. The former Leicester man has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, and Liverpool legend Souness has hit out at his critics, praising Maguire for his honesty and resilience in the face of almost relentless abuse.
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Souness wrote for the Daily Mail: "Maguire is at particular risk of the kind of pile-on we’re seeing because a failing Manchester United made him the most expensive central defender in the world and then made him their captain.
"So he becomes a lightning rod for all United’s ills. All the club’s failings are piled at his door. Ridiculous. I can’t remember a game United lost because of Harry Maguire alone.
"He has been guilty of making mistakes. But if you make a mistake in that position, it generally leads to an effort on your goal. You’re relying on having good central midfielders in front of you, putting the ball under pressure, trying to protect you at all times, making sure that if a ball is played through into your area, it’s of no great quality. United’s players in those central midfield positions haven’t been good enough.
"I don’t think Maguire has ever been part of a reliable and consistent United back four. Raphael Varane has shown more consistency this year, but you’d never say Eric Bailly or Victor Lindelof would have another big club wanting to sign them."
The 69-year-old also suggested that the level of abuse aimed at United man Maguire is 'bewildering' — bemoaning that the 'keyboard warriors' will continue to get away with ridiculing players.
He added: "It’s the level of abuse which is bewildering, though. I witness it at games and it’s water off a duck’s back to me now. I’m of a certain age and a certain character where nothing really bothers me.
"But if you’re a public figure today, you are apparently there to be ridiculed and that seems to be accepted. That’s the 21st century. That’s 2022.
"I particularly despise the keyboard warriors we have now. Faceless pygmies who will write abuse about someone, knowing that they will never be confronted. Knowing no one will ever find out who they are and who is spouting all this vile hate.
"I’ve met Maguire once and he seemed a thoroughly decent young man with a very good attitude. It was only a five-minute exchange at the premiere of a Bryan Robson film in Manchester last November but I wanted him to do well because he seems a very good type.
"It has been suggested this week he might speak to a psychologist. Great, if that helps, though I’ve never been down that road. The psychology of the guys I worked with at Liverpool was pretty straightforward."
United captain Maguire is out of the Manchester derby on Sunday after sustaining an injury in England's draw with Germany. The Three Lions captain Harry Kane said Maguire had played on injured.
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