Nemanja Matic has leapt to the defence of Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire and claimed the situation surrounding him is a “disaster”.
The Serbian played alongside Maguire for three seasons before he left Old Trafford for Roma at the start of the summer. And his departure has afforded Matic a unique vantage point of the furore engulfing the England international.
Reports earlier this year suggested that the fractured United dressing room was divided over Maguire’s status within the squad. Erik ten Hag quickly confirmed that Maguire would remain as captain, despite many within the confines of Carrington believing Cristiano Ronaldo should take over the responsibility.
However, despite keeping the armband, amidst a torrent of criticism over his performances the 29-year-old was relegated to the bench, in favour of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. But Matic believes the criticism of his former colleague has gone way over the top and accused his detractors of ‘having no lives’.
“What people are doing to him, it is a disaster,” he told the Times. “Everything has to have limits and some of these people writing on social media, they don’t have their own lives so they just have to write bad things about someone else.
This week saw Maguire speak out on his current predicament, with his United woes meaning his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup is in doubt. "I am all good, ready to play, I feel fit and fresh," Maguire told talkSPORT. "On my form, I don't know what has been said, I don't really read about it.
“I came off the back of three positive games with England in the summer, and a good pre-season, I felt really good. Obviously, the manager [Erik ten Hag] decided to leave me out for a game, and the team have been winning since.
“I am working hard on the training pitch to make sure I am ready for when my opportunity comes. That is all what I can do to try and help the team.
“I am not concentrating on anybody else and what people are saying," he continued, "I think if people can make a story about me, I am Manchester United captain, it is going to make big news.
“So, that is the reason they do it, they like the clicks, and things like that, but I went into the Euros after an eight-week injury, and did not play one game, and got into the team of the tournament. In terms of rustiness, and things like that, I am sure that won’t happen.”
As for Matic, he admits that while the club did everything they could to try and arrest last season’s slump, their lack of organisation meant they were heading in the wrong direction.
“I have to say, everyone in the club really did try to do their best,” Matic added. “But when things are not going in the right direction, when the results aren’t there, it’s difficult, the pressure is huge, and of course nobody is happy with the performances.
“When I first came to Chelsea in 2009, there were four or five teams who didn’t have the quality to compete. Now, every team has a top manager and top players.
“It doesn’t matter what badge you are wearing, if you don’t play well, if you’re not well organised on the pitch, you get punished straight away.”
