Former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce is the latest ex-pro to leap to Harry Maguire‘s defence amidst the heavy criticism he is currently receiving.
As reported in Pundit Arena, Bruce hit out at the ‘social media nonsense’ Maguire has faced over the last month or so.
Bruce feels Maguire has been harshly treated and advises him to forget about the social media attention and continue to work hard to push through this career sticky patch.
“I think the treatment of Harry Maguire has been harsh – he’s going through a tricky patch. It’s football – he has to batten down the hatches and forget about the social media nonsense.” he said
The current West Brom boss also believes Maguire is determined to get back to his best and should start by looking to force himself back into Erik ten Hag’s plans by getting back to basics.
“He’s always determined to do well. He has to focus on getting himself back in the team at Manchester United and doing all the basics well again,” he added.
Bruce knows exactly how it feels to be under the pressure of being United’s captain. The 61-year-old played for the club on 414 occasions and lifted the inaugural Premier League trophy and, in doing so, ended United’s 26 year wait for a league title.
Maguire is yet to taste such success and has been underperforming for United for the last 18 months.
However the abuse aimed at the United skipper has notably escalated off the back of his rocky performance for England in their recent Nations League draw with Germany.
Having lost his place to Lisandro Martinez at club level, Maguire’s seemly guaranteed spot in Gareth Southgate’s side is now under serious scrutiny.
The dip in form for his country could not have come at a worse time for the centre back, with England’s next fixture being their World Cup opener against Iran.
Maguire is currently nursing a hamstring injury, so faces an enforced wait to try and get himself back into some kind of form and fitness before travelling to Qatar.
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