Maguire on United's Pressure: 'It's Too Big for Some Players'
Harry Maguire says the intense scrutiny at Manchester United has broken former teammates, while crediting his own resilience for his continued role at the club. The defender, who recently signed a new contract, believes many players find the spotlight at Old Trafford overwhelming and choose to leave rather than fight through the criticism.
The Weight of the United Shirt
Maguire has made 266 appearances for United since his £80 million move from Leicester in 2019, experiencing significant highs like winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, alongside notable lows. He was appointed captain by Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2020 but later lost his starting place under Erik ten Hag and was stripped of the captaincy, nearly joining West Ham in 2023. He attributes his comeback to a laidback attitude and ignoring external noise, contrasting his approach with others who couldn't handle the pressure.
"I see a lot of players come into this club and quite frankly it's just too big for them," Maguire stated. "The eyes on you, the scrutiny, the analysis. Every goal that goes in, it's someone's fault. There's going to be ex-players speaking about it. That's just part and parcel of playing for this club."
He suggested that his own difficult experiences, including mockery and abuse from critics, would have ended the careers of lesser players. "I think there'll be a lot who want to maybe just close the book and just go elsewhere and restart their career. I think it's probably broken them a little bit earlier," he added.
Current Form and Future Ambitions
Since Michael Carrick took charge in mid-January, Maguire has been an ever-present, helping United climb to third place and contend for Champions League qualification. He believes the club is on an upward trajectory and, with the right recruitment, can challenge for major trophies next season. "There's no ceiling to where we can reach. We've got to be in the conversation to go and win the big trophies," he said.
On the international front, Maguire is pushing for a spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the upcoming World Cup, despite being behind several center-backs in the pecking order. He earned a recall last month after 18 months out and remains confident in his abilities.
"I'm desperate to go, whatever role the manager would want me for, whether that's starting or whether it's deciding games late on," Maguire explained. "I still believe, even at my age, I'm arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes. That can be really effective later on in games, whether you're holding on to a lead or trying to chase a game."
Key Takeaways
- Maguire argues the intense pressure at Manchester United has caused some players to leave the club prematurely.
- His own career at United has seen significant ups and downs, including losing the captaincy and nearly transferring out.
- He credits a mentally tough, laidback approach for his resurgence under manager Michael Carrick.
- United's current form has them in third place, with Maguire optimistic about trophy challenges next season.
- Maguire is vying for an England World Cup spot, confident in his defensive skills despite competition for places.
— Editorial Team
