THE GREAT MAGUIRE DEBATE: Some would crumble but Harry is a selfless leader who can handle this after the England defender has received criticism

Harry Maguire has come under heavy criticism this season, with the defender remaining at Manchester United despite a lack of playing time under Erik ten Hag.

His potential move to West Ham fell through earlier this summer, leaving him behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof at Old Trafford.

Despite this, the England defender was called up to Gareth Southgate’s squad to play against Ukraine and Scotland this international break.

Unfortunately, Maguire scored an own goal in Tuesday’s friendly at Hampden Park, adding to the pressure on him.

Mailsport’s team of ex-professionals, columnists and writers have given their views on the great Maguire debate

The United Legend: Bryan Robson

It takes a certain strength to face criticism in football and, as Gareth Southgate says, Maguire has the balls to handle it.

That’s not a green light for those targeting him to give it momentum, far from it, but it underlines the mental strength he has adopted. When he says “at least it takes the pressure off my teammates,” that tells you about the selfless nature of a man who is a leader.

I know Harry from his time at Manchester United and I have had coffee with him a few times. We’ve talked about the criticism he receives and the spotlight that comes from playing for United and England, especially when you’re going through a bad spell. He never complained.

He’s not a shouter, he’s a thinker. I can tell he’s wondering why, and I always remind him that the reason he’s here is because he’s a damn good centre-back.

When I played for United at Anfield, the Liverpool fans could be ruthless. They sang two or three songs, almost permanently about me, and the words are certainly not for a family newspaper.

But I just pretended they were singing because they liked me and I waved and smiled. It is now a lot more difficult for players.

It only takes a few brainless people to say something, and then social media amplifies everything. It’s hard to escape.

The crucial thing is that the manager still supports you. I know this may not be the case for Harry at United recently, but for England Gareth has been unwavering in his support and Harry has never let him down.

The combination with John Stones was one of the best at international level. Gareth recognizes that.

Harry has a good agent next to him. He also has a close family and many people at United who respect him for the way he conducts himself.

He knows he has to be bigger than this. Some would crumble, but not him. He will get through it and when he comes out the other side he will be infinitely stronger for it.

The ex-pro: Chris Sutton

Southgate added fuel to the fire with what he said after Tuesday’s match, suggesting ‘idiots’ are responsible for the ‘joke’ that is Harry Maguire’s situation. However, Southgate will now have to share some of that blame as he has drawn more attention to the defender. Arsenal fans celebrated when he was brought on against them. Scotland’s supporters cheered every pass.

Things went wrong for Maguire in both games and he can expect more of the same treatment next time he plays as rival fans know they are under the skin thanks to Southgate. They won’t suddenly stop their mock cheering, they will double down.

It would have been more beneficial for the England manager to say that it is part of being a top footballer and that Maguire is strong enough to deal with it. I’m sure he is, and I sympathize with Maguire because it’s a big ask for a player who barely plays for his club to perform for his country. But the criticism will not stop. Certainly not now.

The England supporter: Adam Shergold

I have no doubt that England fans are divided over whether Maguire deserves his place in Gareth Southgate’s team.

On the one hand, he rarely lets his country down. He shows up, steps up and usually does everything expected of him. His leadership extends far beyond the field.

On the other hand, it is a valid argument that he should be dropped from the squad before Euro 2024 if he does not play for Manchester United. But fans rally around ‘one of their own’ when their honor is insulted and Maguire felt a lot of love from the England supporters on Tuesday.

The Tartan Army believed they could unnerve him by ironically cheering him onto the pitch and booing his every touch, especially after that unfortunate own goal. English fans responded with cheers and sang this song for the man known as ‘slabhead’: ‘Harry Maguire, Haaaa-rry Maguire, he drinks the vodka, he drinks the Jaeger, his head is fucking huge!’

To Maguire’s credit, he regained his composure well and England completed the job of silencing Hampden’s roar. He looked grateful as the players went to the fans at the final whistle and his name was sung again.

It continued a theme. When England played North Macedonia at Old Trafford in June, Maguire received more love from the Stretford End than he had all season.

The affection is real: fans see Maguire as sincere, down-to-earth and someone who gives everything for the cause. Lack of playing time or not, Southgate’s impassioned defense suggests we’ll be singing about him for some time to come.

The middle half: Martin Keown

Harry Maguire is being unfairly criticized. He has been made a scapegoat.

He was dropped from the Manchester United team and things haven’t exactly improved since Erik ten Hag’s side.

Some of us talk about driving buses through the defense of football teams and you could do that now at United. It’s really the midfield that is the problem. Maguire isn’t necessarily the problem.

The journalist: Kieran Gill

Harry Maguire should not be seen as a prisoner at Manchester United. West Ham offered £30m for him in the summer but withdrew the offer as they became frustrated with his lack of enthusiasm.

Rumor has it that it didn’t even get to the point where David Moyes spoke to him. West Ham was a fresh start, guaranteed playing time, with a large fan base behind him.

Instead, he will likely spend this season without any promise of playing, with fans quick to criticize.

He made his own bed by refusing to leave United. Now he must be in it.