The most expensive centre back in the history of world football, Harry Maguire has been a heavy target for criticism in recent times following poor performances at club level.
Manchester United’s captain is the club’s second-most expensive transfer ever at £80million pounds, only behind Paul Pogba’s £89m when he transferred from Juventus in 2016.
Being labelled the most expensive defender ever comes with a high expectation, especially when playing for a club like Manchester United, and the 29-year-old has certainly failed to impress during his first seasons at Old Trafford. The Red Devils captain has often committed unforgivable mistakes that have cost his club vital points in the race for the Premier League top four.
Despite Maguire’s poor form for his club, the centre back has put up really solid performances for his nation, being a regular starter in Gareth Southgate’s England XI. It seems he’s nailed on to be one of the first names on the teamsheet ahead of this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Why was Harry Maguire booed?
England have done well in recent tournaments, reaching the semi-final in the 2018 World Cup, where they lost to Croatia in extra-time, as well as the final of Euro 2020 – which ended in penalty shootout heartache to Italy. Maguire scored, but England left disappointed as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missed their spot-kicks.
During the entirety of Euro 2020, England didn’t concede any goals from open play. In their seven games, they only conceded twice – and both were from set-pieces – with Maguire a huge part of their resilient backline.
However, during the recent international break England fans vented their frustration towards some of Southgate’s squad decision – with Maguire’s selection a sticking point. During Tuesday’s 3-0 friendly win over the Ivory Coast, the defender was booed before and during the fixture at Wembley.
One of the main causes for controversy was leaving out young centre back Fikayo Tomori. The 23-year-old has been in superb form for AC Milan in aiding their battle for the Serie A title but was overlooked for the out-of-form Maguire.
Ex-England striker Darren Bent was one voice in the media who believed that the wrong choice had been made. ‘In what Stratosphere has Harry Maguire been better than Tomori?… none!’ he told TalkSPORT.
As expected, one man who has had Maguire’s back is Southgate. ‘I think that reception was a joke, an absolute joke, I don’t get it,’ he condemned the England fans jeers. ‘We’re either all in this together or we’re not, he’s in an England shirt, you support a player in an England shirt regardless.
‘When you’ve played at the level he has for us and put performances in he has, it should be total commitment behind him. I don’t get it at all.’
What next for Maguire?
Southgate’s resolute stance for the centre back isn’t necessarily matched at Manchester United with reports that he is facing a fight for his future at the club as they look to find a different defensive partner for Raphael Varane.
Maguire faces a pivotal few months now for club and country. He needs a strong end to the season to potentially earn a lifeline at United. And then using that momentum into next season, it could be a springboard of redemption among England fans and the Qatar World Cup.
If he fails to do so, we could be witnessing the start of a collapse in his career.
By Carlos Almeida Moura
