Jamie Redknapp has launched an impassioned defence of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire after his Man of the Match display against Sheffield United.
Harry Maguire was awarded the Man of the Match award by Sky Sports for Manchester United in their tight 2-1 victory over Paul Heckinghbottom’s side at Bramall Lane.
Erik ten Hag decided to stick with the Englishman at the heart of the defence alongside Jonny Evans and the 30-year-old certainly justified that decision.
Speaking after United’s win over Sheffield United, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp was keen to back the United man and believes the criticism he has had to deal with at Old Trafford has been way over the top.
Redknapp’s defence
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder said: “I think, as a professional, he’s been treated disgracefully even by his own fans. Of course, he makes mistakes, everyone does, but some of his teammates who have made just as many mistakes in the past don’t get a quarter of the criticism he does.
“Do I think he is good enough for United in the long term? No, I actually don’t, I genuinely mean that. He’s been in great form of late but he might have to try and make it somewhere else.
“However, the abuse he has received has been below the belt and it needs to stop.”
Some of the criticism levelled at the Englishman has been disgraceful and the hope will be that Maguire can reach the same levels that he reached back in 2021, before the European Championships.
Hasselbaink on Maguire
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who works with Maguire for England, has also been full of praise for the defender during a tough time and thinks he’s a hard-working boy.
“I must say, it’s a pleasure to work with him,” the former Chelsea striker said.
“The boy is always ready to work, ready to give his all and never lets us down. I knew what kind of performance we would get today.
“He’s one of the bravest players I know.”
The redemption arc undertaken by the defender may well be a wake-up call to another man who is out in the cold at Old Trafford, Jadon Sancho.
Maguire has shown the 23-year-old that hard work and determination can get you very far under Ten Hag.
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