Is this the beginning of Maguire’s redemption arc? Manchester United fans owe Harry Maguire an apology, says Gabby Agbonlahor
The talkSPORT pundit has also labelled some of the defender’s boo-boys as ‘sheep’ amid criticism from the Red Devils fanbase.
Maguire has faced the brunt of criticism during his time at United But he proved crucial on Tuesday night by scoring a vital goal in Man United’s win over FC Copenhagen
Maguire has struggled to exert himself as a world-class centre-back during his time at United, with some fans being heavily critical to the point where they booed him during a pre-season match.
He was also linked with a summer departure, with West Ham heavily linked, but has remained at Old Trafford for this season.
Despite the pressures he faces at United, Maguire scored their crucial winner against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
And Agbonlahor believes there are some Man United fans who should be saying sorry to their defender.
He said on Drive: “First of all, I’d like to say that I fell that a lot of United fans owe Maguire an apology.
“I feel that what he’s been through, he’d had fans booing him, he’s been away on pre-season tours and you’ve got ‘sheep’ booing him, ‘sheep’ fans that don’t have a clue about football booing him.
“He’s got through it and said, ‘No, I’m not going to leave, I want to play for United.’ Easy for him to say, ‘OK, I’ll got to West Ham, let’s get the deal through.’
“‘No, I’m staying here, I’m going to fight for my position,’ and look what he’s doing now. He got ‘Man of the Match’ against Sheffield United, he got an assist against Brentford, last night he scores. That’s a captain’s performance last night.”
He added: “I remember, I think United went away in pre-season in America or Australia and he was getting booed. Sometimes as well it comes from social media.
“Maguire makes a few mistakes, there’s a reel made. But if [Lisandro] Martinez or [Raphael] Varane make the same mistakes, oh it’s forgotten. He’s been picked on a lot.
“I know for a fact that it’s probably affected him, as an ex-player, getting that bad media coverage, everyone wants to come for you on social media, you’re the one everyone’s laughing about. Now after the game last night, well done Maguire, he’s come through a lot.”
Maguire made just his fourth start of the season for United against Copenhagen, with the match being his sixth appearance.
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It’s the third game in a row that he’s been named in the starting XI though, with Martinez and Varane still out injured.
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