07 August 2023 , 07:59
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Harry Maguire has become a lightning rod for criticism at Manchester United and the extent of his dip in form was shown during their friendly against Athletic Bilbao.
A much-changed United side were held to a 1-1 draw against the Spanish side in Dublin on Sunday. Nico Williams opened the scoring for Bilbao, who appeared set for victory despite a red card for Aitor Paredes, only for Facundo Pellistri to equalise with the last kick of the game.
Having played a strong side against Lens on Saturday, Ten Hag chose to field a weakened team in Ireland. Maguire was one of the senior players on show alongside a group of youngsters, which included Dan Gore, Alvaro Fernandez and Omari Forson.
Gore played at the base of midfield and the 18-year-old caught the eye of fans for his performance – and his interactions with Maguire. The England defender was at fault for Williams’ goal, playing a sloppy pass which was intercepted, giving Tom Heaton little chance in goal, prompting boos from supporters.
Fans were quick to criticise Maguire on social media and their opinion appeared to be shared by Gore, who had shown his displeasure with his team-mate. The academy player had already shouted at Maguire for failing to move to create an angle for a pass.
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Gore had been dropping in between Maguire and fellow centre-back Victor Lindelof to change United’s shape and the youngster was not scared to shout at his more senior team-mate. “How embarrassing when you’re a senior pro at the club and getting shouted at by an 18-year-old,” tweeted one supporter.
Maguire has been stripped of the United captaincy and told he is free to leave this summer, with Ten Hag making it clear that Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are his first-choice centre-back pairing. It has been a difficult period for the 30-year-old, who has been forced to weather the storm in pre-season.
Dan Gore was not shy in criticising Harry Maguire on the pitch (David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! What have you made of Harry Maguire's recent performances? Comment below.
Gore isn’t the first to shout at Maguire, with new goalkeeper Andre Onana making his feelings clear during the 3-2 defeat by Borussia Dortmund on July 31.
Onana sprinted towards Maguire and berated him after United lost possession – but his behaviour was criticised by former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor.
"First of all, Harry Maguire didn't do anything wrong," Agbonlahor told talkSPORT. "He played a ball to a midfielder and the midfielder gave it away. I feel like he's an easy target.
"I don't like that from Onana. Are you doing that to Martinez? Are you running after [Marcus] Rashford like that? I don't think you are. Maguire's an easy target, so I didn't like the look of that.”
Maguire has been linked with a move to West Ham in the summer transfer window, but any transfer will be complicated by his wages. The England defender, who is under contract until June 2025, earns £200,000-a-week with United – more than West Ham could afford to pay.