Jamie Carragher disagrees with pundits over Harry Maguire but Man Utd ‘too late’

Pundit Jamie Carragher has defended Manchester United’s Harry Maguire after his performance for England against Germany.

The centre-back endured a difficult night at Wembley as the Three Lions drew 3-3.

Maguire, 29, made a couple of mistakes that led to the opposition’s goals.

Carragher has admitted that the overall treatment of the former Sheffield United man has been ‘brutal’.

‘Silly mistakes’...

Other pundits haven’t been as lenient. Jermaine Defoe said on Channel 4: “(He’s making) Sillymistakes, you give the ball away and then you give away a penalty. Individual mistakes, and for some reason, it always seems to be him.”

Meanwhile, Joe Cole said: “He’s obviously in a low point in his career. The next six weeks every day is an opportunity to build his confidence up and the people around him and everything and perform.”

Maguire was dropped by United boss Erik ten Hag earlier this season after they lost their opening two matches and his confidence appears to be low at the moment.

Carragher has urged Maguire to ‘fight back’ and protect his ‘reputation’ in his column with The Telegraph: “There are moments in your career when you have to look after yourself, protect your reputation and fight back, because the sport is brutal and once anyone smells blood - fans, teammates or coaches - they will finish you.”

He added: “Criticism of his performance against Germany is valid and justified and (Gareth) Southgate must assess if Maguire is mentally right for a World Cup, able to show he can put all the issues behind him.

“In the past, it is something Maguire has struggled with. How can the manager make such a big call before the opening game against Iran unless Maguire is playing for his club?”

What next for Maguire?

Maguire has a big six weeks ahead of him on club duty for United and will be hoping he can still make the England squad for Qatar.

Everything is against him at the moment and he needs to zone out all the harsh newspaper and social criticism and focus with his job at hand.

United are back in action this weekend against rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Maguire came off the bench in their last game away at Sheriff before the international break.

One thing Carragher does admit is that this may be the end of the road for Maguire with United.

He added: “I think it is too late at club level. I wrote last year he was fighting for his Manchester United career. He needs this to be his final season at Old Trafford and start afresh.”

“Now it is England’s problem.”