Man United’s Harry Maguire opens up on the abuse he received against Scotland as England defender insists: ‘I am all good and strong mentally and I can deal with it’
- Harry Maguire received abuse after his own goal against Scotland last month
- The England defender received backing from both his mum and David Beckham
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Even someone with Harry Maguire’s broad shoulders can do with support from nearest and dearest when it feels like the whole world is lined up to have a go.
It was no surprise England manager Gareth Southgate went into bat for his beleaguered defender after an own goal against Scotland last month produced new levels of ridicule and abuse.
More eye-catching was Zoe Maguire posting an understandably heartfelt message backing her son. ‘The level of negative and abusive comments which my son is receiving from some fans, pundits and the media is disgraceful and totally unacceptable,’ she said.
This week the Manchester United centre back is back on the international tightrope. A key part of England’s success at the last three international tournaments, he is nonetheless aware that any errors against Australia on Friday or Italy on Tuesday could lead to another pile-on.
David Beckham, no stranger to being bashed on a national level after his red card against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, has dialled in with his support and while Maguire says he didn’t need his mother’s public intervention, he seems proud that she did so.
Harry Maguire was ridiculed and abused following his own goal against Scotland last month
England manager Gareth Southgate came to Maguire’s defence following the latest criticism
Maguire’s mum Zoe posted a message backing her son, who has insisted he is mentally strong
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‘If she felt like that and wanted to do it, then I fully support her,’ he says. ‘My mum has been a big part of my career and someone I go to for support. She was in the stands in the Scotland game and probably felt affected by it and annoyed by it.
‘She is more worried about myself but I reiterate to her that I am all good and strong mentally and I can deal with it. It probably affects my family more than myself because they worry for me and how I’m dealing with it. I tell her all the time I’m good.’ A call from Beckham a couple of days after the Scotland experience was particularly welcome in making Maguire realise he’s not alone after a year in which the 30-year-old has lost his regular place and captaincy of United.
‘It was amazing to speak to him and for him to get his message across. It put a big smile on my face, I would say,’ explains Maguire. ‘I had watched his (Netflix) documentary and it was really inspiring to me. He’s a role model to me, someone I looked up to and watched when I was a young boy. I don’t want to go too much into our conversation but the main thing he did was remind me of the career I’ve had to date and all the big moments.
‘When you’re going through tough moments you’ve got to go through past experiences and past memories. Every career is so up and down, especially when you reach what I’ve reached, in terms of being the captain of the biggest club in the world for three-and-a-half years.
‘He’s been in that position and knows what it’s like. Obviously having watched the documentary I couldn’t believe how much he went through at the time. Gary Neville speaks about how resilient he is as a person. It showed how classy David is to reach out to me. It was something I really appreciate. It was touching really.’
Maguire’s stoicism is admirable. He must hope his winning assist against Brentford last Saturday proves a turning point, though he’s also aware if he loses his place at Old Trafford again when others return from injury, a January move will be necessary to keep his England spot.
Of course, there is also a bigger picture out there. Last Tuesday was designated World Mental Health Day and part of the focus nowadays is the role social media plays in villainising people. Maguire, who has had to deal with boos from his own fans and mocking cheers from the opposition, has his own way of dealing with Twitter and other outlets.
‘I don’t read anything to be honest,’ he reveals. ‘I know social media is a big part of the world nowadays and of course it will impact a lot of players, younger ones especially, but the main advice would be not to read it, come off it and speak to the people who are close to you.
Maguire thanked David Beckham after the England legend called him after the Scotland game
Beckham had faced significant abuse following his red card at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
Maguire will be hoping to start for the Three Lions against Australia and Italy this week
‘You need to keep the bubble within your team strong when the spotlight is on. We speak about it at Manchester United. I am not going to sit here and say I don’t see anything. Of course, I see things. I post on my social media myself. But I come off and I don’t flick though the comments.’
If Southgate clearly has his back and rates him as a footballer, United boss Erik ten Hag is less sure Maguire fits into his system at United. On occasions he’s shifted left back Luke Shaw into the middle rather than give the specialist a chance.
‘There are a lot of differences between Gareth and Erik,’ Maguire adds. ‘They have different styles and different ways they both manage. I wouldn’t say there is too much that is similar.’
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