Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Carragher warns Maguire of ‘fight for his future’, exposing battle Man Utd star is losing

Harry Maguire during Man Utd warm-up

A “lack of authority” has not helped Harry Maguire at Manchester United this season, according to Jamie Carragher – who feels the onus is on the England international to keep his career afloat.

Maguire has been under pressure this season, which has been a turbulent one for Man Utd. His performances and leadership role have come under the radar while the club have slipped outside the top-four places.

The situation is even affecting Maguire at international level. Sections of the England crowd booed him during the recent friendly against Ivory Coast.

It has prompted further debate about the 29-year-old’s status for club and country. He could be fearing his Manchester United future is at risk.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has now reminded Maguire he needs to show strength to overcome what has been a tough spell in his career.

Carragher told the Telegraph: “For club and country, the perception of Maguire has turned extremely negative incredibly quickly. The sympathy of teammates and his managers does not alter the fact that Maguire has to fight for his future.

“Only one person can change the situation. Maguire has to show he has the talent and strength of character to stay at Manchester United beyond this season, and remain the lynchpin of England’s defence at the World Cup.”

Carragher still believes Maguire has generally been a good player for Man Utd since joining them from Leicester City. However, he acknowledged that an exaggerated price tag put pressure on him from the beginning.

Harry Maguire should be sold this summer say ex Manchester United player

Harry Maguire should be sold this summer say ex Manchester United player

Paul Parker says Harry Maguire should be sold this summer by Manchester United

What’s more, tactics at the back have not been helping his style – and that will continue to be the case under whoever replaces Ralf Rangnick in the dugout.

Maguire has ‘fallen short’ in leadership battle

Carragher added: “I stand by the opinion that Maguire was very good for United prior to this season.

“From the moment he signed for £80million, there was an expectation Maguire would be to United what Virgil van Dijk is to Liverpool. That did not help.

“United overpaid to get the deal done, signing an international-class defender rather than a world-class one. Now, murmurs of dissatisfaction have turned into anger whenever United lose.

Harry Maguire scores for Man Utd during Premier League game against Leeds

“Maguire’s difficulty in turning it around at Old Trafford is his lack of authority in the United dressing room. Since last summer, Maguire has been looking over his shoulder amid a debate as to whether he or Cristiano Ronaldo should be captain.

“Rather than reassert his leadership, he has fallen short. That has affected his performances.

“Add to that specific demands on the modern centre-half, and he has struggled. Elite coaches are determined to play a high-line defence. Whoever takes over at Old Trafford this summer will do likewise.

“That does not suit Maguire, especially as there is so much malfunctioning in the United team he is regularly exposed. This will be a problem for him going forward.

“It is easier for a centre-back to hide their weakness in a team that defends deep. At the highest level, that is tougher and Maguire has become the easy scapegoat for a catalogue of United problems.”

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