Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown has sprung to the defence of Manchester United captain Harry Maguire following a challenging 2021/22 campaign for the defender.
The United skipper, who joined the club from Leicester City for £80million back in August 2019, experienced a hugely underwhelming campaign, littered with below-par performances and costly errors. He looked a shadow of the player that had performed so heroically to help England reach the final of the European Championship last summer.
Following the signing of Raphael Varane, it was anticipated that Maguire's game would only grow stronger, as he had been joined by a world-class centre-half in the heart of United's defence. However, he experienced a campaign to forget.
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His performances resulted in him facing widespread criticism from supporters and pundits alike. However, some people took their criticism too far, often abusing the former Sheffield United man, particularly on social media.
"The criticism of Harry Maguire, and the way his career has been picked apart by people who think they know better, is disrespectful," Keown told the Mail. "This isn't the first time I've come to Maguire's defence; I did it during the season, too.
"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.
"He has been through a difficult period in terms of form. 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."
The appointment of Erik ten Hag as United manager this summer means that the Reds will enter next season with the slate wiped clean for everyone. It will mark the beginning of a new dawn and Maguire, like many of his team-mates, will be aiming to put a forgettable 2021/22 campaign behind him.
Keown 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. 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."
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