GLUM Harry Maguire looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders as he arrived at Manchester United training today.
The Old Trafford captain was sent off just 31 minutes into England’s shock 1-0 defeat by Denmark at Wembley last night.
And the ramifications of that, plus a drop in form and the stress of his Greek arrest all looked to be playing on him during his drive into Carrington.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who also arrived at Carrington this morning, might have a decision to make about his captain.
MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Click here for the latest United news
Ex-England star and Liverpool hero Jamie Redknapp was one of those who leaped to the defence of under-fire Maguire.
And the Sky Sports pundit urged others to remember Maguire is going through a ‘moment’ – but said he will feel the pressure to bounce back.
He said: “It’s easy for us to sit here and rip him apart [saying] ‘he’s having a nightmare, he’s conceding goals’.
“He is having a moment. He’s having a really a bad moment in his career.
“He’s going to have to somehow pull himself together, he’s got to get back.
“It’s a big weekend for him coming up for Manchester United.
“He’s got to get his confidence back because he’s a player really lacking confidence.
“There is a lot going on in his life and I think we sometimes forget that.
“When you go out on the football field you think everything is going to be right, but you can genuinely see he’s really struggling with his game at the moment.”
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has also backed Maguire, 27, to shrug off the criticism after his red card.
The England gaffer said Maguire is ‘getting a lot of stick’ but insisted he and the squad have ‘total belief’ in the ex-Leicester man.
Gary Lineker added that ‘every civilisation seems to be against Harry Maguire at present’ but backed the defender to come back ‘stronger’.
Many think a short break from the game would do Maguire a world of good.
And given his current form it would be no surprise to see Solskjaer drop his skipper for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle.
After all, United have conceded 11 goals in their three first Premier League games – including the 6-1 defeat by Spurs.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/football/premier-league/how-chelsea-could-line-up-with-haaland-havertz-and-werner-forming-lampards-dream-front-line
