There are always prying eyes when it comes to Harry Maguire. These are prying eyes waiting for him to make a mistake, waiting for him to mess up.
It is common knowledge that the narrative surrounding Maguire online has him framed as some sort of incompetent, comedy figure. The reality is that he certainly isn't an inept central defender, although online opinion has made this a view you will be ridiculed for having amid phases of Maguire enduring poor form.
Look at Euro 2020 and the recent Qatar World Cup: Maguire was a mainstay in defence for a strong England side - an inclusion in teams of the tournament from many.
Players don't perform on stages so prestigious without being beyond perfectly able.
Credit: Richard Sellers via Getty Images
However, it is undeniable that Maguire has not had a good 18 months at club level.
Suggesting the narrative surrounding him is extreme isn't to say he should be exempt from criticism. Maguire endured a wretched 2021/22 season for United, during which errors weren't uncommon and he often looked a liability.
Now under Erik ten Hag, the club captain has fallen considerably out of favour, no longer within the preferable starting centre-back pair given the strength of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez as a duo ever since United's two defeats to start this season.
With Martinez absent from United's first three matches after his World Cup win, there were opportunities for Maguire to continue in the left centre-back position that he performed well in for England. But he returned from Qatar and was unwell, forcing him to miss out on the starting side twice.
Luke Shaw deputised in Maguire's favoured left centre-back role against Nottingham Forest with Maguire still not well enough to start, but it felt stark that Shaw maintained his place for the trip to face Wolverhampton Wanderers when Maguire was back to fitness again.
Not only has Maguire fallen out of the favoured centre-back pair, but he now also seems to find himself below Luke Shaw - very much a left-back by trade - as third-choice in his preferred left centre-back role.
During his tenure so far, it has become evident that Ten Hag predominantly sees Maguire as a right centre-back due to his desire to have a left-footed player on the left side. Indications prior to the World Cup were that Maguire may well be third-choice at right centre-back too, behind Victor Lindelof.
Credit: Naomi Baker via Getty Images
It was bad luck for Maguire that he suffered a bout of illness after a strong World Cup. He was almost certain to start the Carabao Cup meeting against Burnley amid Varane also still being on leave following the World Cup final, with that place possibly then to be maintained against Forest in the league given Varane was rushed back into the side as an emergency for that match with a number of other defensive absentees.
Any chance for Maguire to gain even a brief run in the side was quashed. As it is, he has only played equivalent to six full 90 minutes so far this season from 24 matches. Any game-time is invaluable to him at present, but it now is appearing more and more that he has fallen down the pecking order to almost unrecoverable extents.
The fact that Ten Hag doesn't see him as a viable option in his more natural left centre-back berth, while his performances at right centre-back have displayed his unfamiliarity with the role, should be of real concern to Maguire.
One big thing with Maguire is the need for the system to suit him too. Not the most mobile or fleet-footed of players, he has struggled when playing in a high line under Ten Hag; higher lines aren't particularly staples of international football where Maguire excels, plus it wasn'ta trait of the less proactive system under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, where Maguire made himself almost an invaluable presence with United defending deeper.
Footballers need game-time, and Maguire is starting to feel a misfit at United under the new regime. This does point towards an exit being the best solution come the summer, when United are more likely to be able to sign a replacement centre-back and Ten Hag will be more open to allow players to depart.
Credit: Manchester United via Getty Images
Opting for a fresh start elsewhere could prove refreshing for Maguire given the difficulties suffered in recent times at United. In particular, a switch would somewhat alleviate the pressure placed upon him by a sizeable selection United fans; finding a new club would hopefully allow him to enjoy his football without having supporters constantly on his back.
To Maguire's credit, he has dealt well with torrents of criticism, which has often been overstepped and become abuse - a bomb threat sent to his home was the climax of this. Maguire has shown real character to plough on despite the tough time dealt to him by so-called 'fans'.
There was the uncomfortable moment in pre-season when Maguire was audibly booed by fans in Australia that had flocked to watch United. So when he was introduced off the bench in the latter stages against Forest, it was good to hear him greeted by a cheer from the Old Trafford faithful.
Nothing other than a good ovation should be expected for a player that has served the club well, even amid wavering form.
Unfortunately, if Maguire is to leave United, an exit would be greeted with widespread joy from many. But the reality is that Maguire has been a good servant that has often been unfairly scapegoated in underperforming United sides.
People are quick to forget the importance he had in the 2020/21 campaign - a crucial player to the extent that there was an outpouring of dread ahead of the Europa League final at the end of the season when he was ruled out through injury. And, as much as people don't want to believe it, he won't have been made captain by multiple managers for nothing.
However, it can now be said with relative certainty that it has reached a stage where Maguire probably doesn't have a future as anything more than a rotation player at United.
Credit: Stu Forster via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand, whose opinion has to be respected on such a topic given his status as an all-time great defender, even said on BT Sport that it would probably be best for Maguire to search for a new club after Shaw started above him against Wolves.
Maguire's treatment by a portion of United fans has been abhorrent at times. While his performances have been substandard for United over the last 18 months, views have often been irrational and inconsiderate.
For a different side with a system that better suits his capabilities, Maguire certainly still has a bright future in the game - possibly even at another elite side.
If he does leave United, it would be excellent for him to prove those that have staunchly doubted his ability wrong. It would be unfair for him to be remembered as the comedy figure he is sometimes portrayed as.
Commenti