We’re better than this, ladies and gents. We’re Manchester United, do better.
On Sunday, one of our own was booed as he wore our shirt and did his best, as ever, to do it justice. The crowd on this occasion was in Dublin, yet this has occurred in Las Vegas, Melbourne and indeed, Manchester.
What has happened to our ‘support’ that once bellowed “we’ll support you evermore”?
Unless you possess a very short memory, readers will remember that Harry Maguire was not always the pantomime villain of United’s struggles – partly because he arrived years after they began.
After signing from Leicester in August 2019, Maguire instantly bolstered a defence that had shipped 54 league goals in the previous campaign. In his first M16 season, United kept 27 clean sheets in all competitions and conceded just three less than runaway champions Liverpool.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer even handed Maguire the captain’s armband six months after his arrival.
Granted, the season was not without errors and his performances in semi-finals against Chelsea and Sevilla left much to be desired, yet his contribution overall was satisfactory at the very least.
The following season, Maguire was once more United’s best defender. He was forced to miss fixtures for the first time since joining United as the campaign drew to its conclusion. His absence coincided with the Reds losing form at just the wrong time in the campaign, with only four points being obtained of the twelve available following the defender’s fitness issues.
To add insult to injury, United would also fall short in the Europa League final versus Villarreal in Gdansk, with many commentators suggesting Gerard Moreno’s opener could have been prevented in the event of Maguire’s organisational skills being available to Solskjaer’s men.
As it was, United ended the season trophyless despite their captain having what would prove to be his best season in a red shirt.
It is important to note that throughout this period, United were playing very much to Maguire’s strengths by playing notably deeper than the side would later operate under the stewardship of Erik ten Hag. His lack of pace was well documented and United’s #5 was occasionally bailed out by outstanding covering from Luke Shaw in parts of the campaign.
That said, on the ball Maguire’s ability to switch play became a cornerstone of Solskjaer’s side, especially in games they were favourites to win.
That summer, Maguire recovered and partnered John Stones for much of England’s run to the European Championships final and looked all set for another progressive campaign back at Old Trafford.
That’s when it all seemed to go a bit wrong for Harry Maguire, and his form ever since has been shaky, if the description is to be generous.
Perhaps by this stage burdened by the armband amid the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo and esteemed defensive partner Raphael Varane, Maguire seemed a shadow of the player he had once been.
A horror showing back at Leicester proved the final straw for many, whilst an abysmal display in the 0-5 reverse at home to Liverpool compounded his, and our, woes. Ultimately, the midfield was at this point no longer fit to shield Maguire’s deficiencies and – not for the want of trying – he appeared to be drowning in the criticism that was being sent in his direction.
Admittedly around this time, it is fair to say Maguire didn’t help his own cause in ways he could have. Quotes began to surface via Mark Ogden from sources close to Maguire that implied our leader needed pace around him to thrive in United’s side, and that contemporaries from other top sides would struggle in the same company.
Given those words didn’t come from Maguire himself, it would be unfair to overly level criticism at his door for that. However, getting sent off at Vicarage Road in a mauling that saw a club legend sacked, yet landing at a Sheffield restaurant before travelling supporters had even made it home, was not a clever look.
And let’s not even go into *that* celebration for England.
The climax of the 2021/22 season saw the Maguire hate campaign fuelled to ludicrous extremes by the usual faces on YouTube who thrive off controversy and scapegoating players primarily for attention.
This in itself, was not a surprise. The fact that so many jumped on it, including a percentage of a match-going support normally immune to the b*****t of United-related media, was the real travesty.
March 2022 saw Maguire booed from the Old Trafford pitch by a minority of supporters who should really know better. So far as I know, Harry Maguire never priced himself at £80m, nor did he make himself captain. He has never downed tools when a few around him have, and has represented our club to the best of his capabilities. The fact two managers continued to pick him amid disastrous form is more on them than the player himself.
The guy went out of his way to visit the Manchesterplatz in Munich to honour the fallen 1958 squad, and was chastised by swathes of our own for an alleged PR stunt. He’s reached a stage where he cannot win whatever he does, and is now never fairly credited for good performances and often blamed for goals that were categorically not his fault. See his freakish own goal at home to Sevilla for a prime example of many gazumping him with unwarranted criticism.
Even when Ten Hag finally relieved Maguire of the armband, his message of good luck to his successor that also acknowledged his personal disappointment was greeted with wide disdain, even from our own.
It is totally within the right of a supporter to believe Maguire is not good enough to play for Manchester United, or is unworthy of the armband or the money the club paid to secure his signature. What is grossly unfair is the rewriting of history and the consistent scapegoating of a player that has only ever offered his best to the shirt and those who support it.
Most among us believe the time is right for all parties to sever ties and move on, as Maguire’s United career now appears irretrievable. It looks like he’ll leave this summer, and best of luck to him.
Footballers are often, sometimes unfairly, accused of living in a different world to supporters and having no time for those who truly pay their wages. You can say it’s part and parcel of the job if you want, but if Manchester United supporters really want their team to scale the heights of English football again, they’ll stop lambasting specific players for attention, whether that be behind a screen or otherwise.
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100% correct! What kind of idiot boos their own player – do you think that’s going to help? No true Red would ever do that, I saw some dire stuff under O’Farrell, early Docherty, and Sexton, but displeasure from support was always good-humoured grumbles amongst themselves. Maguire didn’t one day decide to lose form and confidence: this can happen to anyone. Remember the wait for Berbatov’s first goal? I feel there’s too many people nowadays who treat a football match like the cinema or theatre. They expect to turn up and watch perfection every time. Well, guys, that’s just ‘following’, it’s not support. “ So, you’re a Devil, are you “ you cat-callers? Then do better.