Harry Maguire has been told by Roy Keane that he wasted his chance to build on some positive "PR" after Manchester United were hammered 4-0 by old foes Liverpool.
The Red Devils were all at sea for much of the one-sided match on Merseyside, including the under-fire captain. Conceding within the first five minutes, Maguire and co's calamitous display continued through until the 85th when Mohamed Salah scored his second of the night.
For Liverpool's fourth and final goal, teenage substitute Hannibal Mebjri - who put in a commendable effort during his cameo - was cheaply dispossessed by Andy Robertson in the build-up, allowing Diogo Jota to play Salah through on goal. But Mejbri's error could have been avoided altogether, as Maguire gave him a hospital pass which put him under pressure to take the ball down and release it quickly. Post-match, Keane took aim at the 28-year-old and lamented the fact he had praised him ahead of the game.
"Defensively, we're trying to help Maguire out, before the match trying to give out PR, the last goal Maguire - his passing and his defending is not acceptable, not good enough for Man United," the United legend declared on Sky Sports in a scathing assessment of the Red Devils.
"We're going to use that word again, talk about a rebuilding job at Man United. They have to get lads in, who are first of all, decent lads, good quality pros, talented to try and compete. Man United now fifth or sixth in the league, Man United fifth or sixth in the league? Unbelievable."
Symptomatic of United's dire season, Maguire has gone from an integral part of the team to being hounded out by supporters, notably jeered off during the 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in March which saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League in the round-of-16.
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Liverpool legend Graeme Souness offered the England stalwart some praise before kick-off, the kind of public relations Keane was referencing. "He has got qualities, he is good on the ball and good in the air," Souness explained. "He reads the game okay, he is not the quickest and it is very easy to look at Manchester United and put all the results down to your defending."
Keane, who has been critical of Maguire on multiple occasions throughout his Old Trafford career, added: "It has been a tough season for the team and Harry. I have said it many times, you are going to lose football matches this season, but United have not shown enough pride when losing.
"They have shown no fight and desire and if they lose the first goal tonight [exactly what United did], you fear for them again. Is Harry playing for his career? But obviously, himself and the team have to do better and he knows that."
