What happened to supporting the players who play for your club?
Of course, there are situations where that can't be the case. But, when their application to the cause has never been anything but maximal, it shouldn’t even cross sane minds to boo, jeer and hurl torrents of abuse at a player.
Unfortunately for Harry Maguire, Manchester United fans have been treating him in a manner that has seen him on the receiving end of all of the above.
And it is simply confusing.
By his own admission, Maguire didn't play well last season. But it takes no level of genius to decipher that he wasn't the only player to underperform by any means. Collectively, United were a mess, with the majority of individuals playing at a disappointing standard equal to that at which Maguire was operating. Though for some reason, people will make you believe that Maguire has been the predominant reason for United's demise in recent times.
One word stands out through all of this: 'scapegoat'. Maguire has been unfairly scapegoated by substantial portions of the United fanbase in the last year or so. And things have gone too far.
When a player is in such spell of form and confidence is clearly lacking, support is the number one antidote; yet so-called 'supporters' of the club that Maguire plays for are only lamenting him further. The substandard season the Maguire endured in 2021/22 was hardly down to a lack of trying, which makes the seeming hatred even more mystifying.
Maguire is an honest player who always gives his full commitment to the team, yet the discourse online makes people forget this commitment. All you will find is a whirlwind of anti-Maguire comments. Criticism is one thing, and it is righteous based off last term. But that has certainly bubbled over into a full-blown agenda in many quarters.
One comment on a recent @utdspace post stands out in particular, where an Instagram user said: "Looking at Maguire, he genuinely doesn't inspire confidence or a winning mentality."
The post that this was a comment on was a picture of Maguire modelling the new home kit. If that doesn't exemplify how ridiculous the discourse has become, then nothing will.
When Maguire took to the field at Melbourne Cricket Ground as United faced Crystal Palace in their third pre-season outing on Tuesday, he was booed by a section of the crowd - the majority United 'fans' - upon his name being read out and every time he touched the ball. This was all the way over in Australia. The negativity is spreading like a wildfire to the extent that it is translating to the real world - even across the opposite side of the globe to Manchester.
There had already been the issue of booing and heckling from England fans earlier in the year too. And it is still a case of more and more people jumping on the bandwagon and almost seeming to pray on his downfall with no interest in trying to aid in propelling him back to his highest level, at which he is an incredibly important asset for United.
Think back to the time of the Europa League final at the end of the 2020/21 campaign. Maguire missed the match in Gdansk due to injury, and fans at the time were pining for him in his absence. That is how integral he can be. But people seem to have forgotten.
Now, most things said with regards Maguire seem to be negative. The unnecessary dwelling on his captaincy of the club is a prime example of this. There is a valid argument that the armband may be having adverse effects by way of adding more pressure to Maguire. However suggestions that he ultimately lacks the credentials are signficantly flawed; three different managers, each of who work with Maguire and see him internally day in, day out have now all judged that he is the right man to be captain.
Suggestions that Maguire has only consistently had the captaincy due to his price tag are some of the most thoughtless - far too much weight is put on the transfer fee by fans. Plus, if you disagree with the fact that Maguire is captain, consider that the fixation is absurd anyway as all of the talk is just about an armband. It is infinitely more important to have an entire team of leaders.
Another important point to raise is that many aren't even affording Maguire the clean slate that they are desperate for many other players to be given, for example in the case of, say, Eric Bailly and Anthony Martial. Each and every player deserves their chance to prove themselves to the new manager, so why is the attitude so widely so different for Maguire?
People have similarly vowed to back Erik ten Hag in his decisions. Yet when it involves mentions of Maguire's sizeable status in the team, or the captaincy, there is more often than not plenty of needless outrage.
The hypocrisy is staggering.
Something that it is imperative to acknowledge is that one bad campaign doesn't render any player a bad player. Throughout their careers, it is natural for players to endure poorer seasons. And for Maguire, there is certain potential that he will be able to fit under Ten Hag, which should allow him to re-find a better level of performances and undergo a rejuvenation.
Maguire admittedly isn't used to playing within a very high line as Ten Hag favours, but he is a very front-footed defender. He is particularly adept at stepping out from the back line to intervene, and has already proved his strength in duels and willingness to place his body on the line this pre-season. Against Melbourne Victory, he also showed his largely unmatched aerial capabilities as well as the high volume of blocks that he is able to make.
He is also very comfortable on the ball, playing in a progressive manner that Ten Hag deems a necessity in his squads. His passing range is impressive, and, so far during his two appearances on United's pre-season tour, he has proven that playing in a right-sided centre-back role, as opposed to on his more familiar left, can help to maximise this.
It has become clear that, being left-footed, Ten Hag would like new signing Lisandro Martinez to play as a left centre-back. Thus, both Maguire and Raphael Varane have been tested in the berth on the right, possibly indicating pending competition between the pair. It makes sense given playing on the side that your outer foot is your stronger foot allows for better passing angles and, in Maguire's case, scope for the use of his often-reliable long passes.
Maybe Maguire does fall short in the pace department, which can be an issue when functioning in a high line. But this can be counteracted by a use of intelligence in terms of positioning. Plus, unlike other managers in recent years, Ten Hag promises a defined, more coherent defensive structure, which can be integral to enhancing the performances of individuals given their weaknesses are left less exposed.
Obviously, there are areas that Maguire does have to refine, such as where he is too easily beaten when touch-tight to an opponent or bypassed by through balls too often. His flaws, however, are wildly exaggerated by those on social media. Clumsy errors were a considerable issue last term but, again, confidence is a watchword. Negativity aimed at Maguire in such abundance will only exacerbate his lack of confidence.
The conversation surrounding Maguire has to change as, regardless of mindless suggestions such as claims that he will be fine 'because he has lots of money', it will be degrading for him from a mental standpoint.
Before rushing to judgements, it is crucial to give Maguire a chance to see how he can adapt under Ten Hag. It is incredibly frustrating having to continually write the same things, but it is vital that the torrents of negativity aimed at him are laid-off.
Whether it be heckling or abuse on social media, such negativity is helping nobody. All that it is doing is promoting unneeded disharmony amongst the fanbase whilst also having adverse effects on Maguire himself. Everybody has to pull together and support him, as supporters should do. Because when Maguire is at his peak, he is one of United's most important players without a shadow of a doubt.
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