COUNTY KILDARE, Ireland — As Harry Maguire made his way from the hotel at Carton House to the training pitches of Manchester United this week, he was met with cheers and encouragement from fans eagerly waiting behind steel barriers for selfies and autographs.
On Tuesday morning, there were also congratulations following the announcement of Maguire’s new contract, which was revealed about 30 minutes before the players took to the pitch for their first session in Ireland.
The consensus among supporters is that CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox made a wise choice in securing the 33-year-old defender for at least another year, with the potential for an extension until June 2028.
This new contract signifies an incredible turnaround for Maguire, who understands the challenges high-profile footballers face during tough times.
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During his last visit to Ireland with United in August 2023, Maguire faced boos from some sections of the crowd at Aviva Stadium in Dublin during a pre-season match against Athletic Club.
This occurred shortly after he was stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag, who handed the role to Bruno Fernandes, and just weeks before what Maguire recalls as the most challenging moment of his career.
In September 2023, after coming on as a substitute for England against Scotland at Hampden Park, Maguire was met with mocking cheers from the home supporters. An own goal only exacerbated the situation, and the backlash affected his family significantly.
“Watching him go through this is not right,” his mother, Zoe, expressed in a heartfelt Instagram post. “As a mother, it’s distressing to see the level of negative and abusive comments directed at my son, which is completely unacceptable, especially for someone who works tirelessly for both club and country.”
Fast forward two and a half years, and Maguire is now enjoying a resurgence at United—performing well and regaining his popularity, allowing him to reflect on the situation with a sense of humor.
“My mum decided to speak out,” he says with a smile. “I didn’t want her to, but she insisted, saying, ‘I’m doing it! I’m not listening to anyone!’
“It reached a point where the jeering and abuse became unbearable. I’d probably say that was the lowest point for me.”
While Hampden Park remains etched in his memory as his harshest moment, Maguire credits the criticism rooted in a dip in form at the start of the 2021-22 season.
Maguire was sent off in Solskjaer’s final match in charge, which ended in a 4-1 defeat to Watford in November 2021, and was part of a squad that managed only three victories in their last 14 matches under Ralf Rangnick.
“I was coming off a tough period with two significant final losses,” recalls Maguire. “In hindsight, I didn’t handle it as well as I could have. Losing the Euros at Wembley was particularly painful.”
“I remember our return to the England camp. Gareth [Southgate] addressed how many players were struggling with form after the Euros; it was a tough time for many of us.”
“As captain of Manchester United and a center-back, poor performance is not something you can afford.”
“The loss of Ole was a significant blow; I felt a heavy responsibility for that, given our underwhelming performances prior to his dismissal. The latter part of the season was quite chaotic. As captain, I bore much of the blame, but truthfully, we were all struggling during that phase.”
However, Maguire believes the finger-pointing shouldn’t fall solely on him, and he still struggles to comprehend why he was singled out.
“Sometimes I found myself pondering, ‘Why me?'” he admits. “I can understand the impact of a few poor performances, and yes, my form dropped—everyone goes through that in their career.”
“In the moment I thought this was just part of being Manchester United’s captain. Given my £80 million transfer fee, I felt the scrutiny was par for the course.”
“Social media was becoming increasingly influential, and I thought the backlash was normal because of the club’s struggles. But looking back, it certainly spiraled too far.”
For Maguire, the shift in how he is perceived as a player happened swiftly.
“There was a stretch of three or four years where I felt like one of the best center-backs globally,” he shares. “I firmly believed it, especially considering my performances at the World Cup [2018] and again in the Euros [2021], where I made the team of the tournament.”
“In the first two years at Manchester United, I helped the team improve from sixth or seventh to third and second in the league. I distinctly remember wondering how the narrative changed so quickly.”
By the summer of 2023, Maguire was contemplating leaving Old Trafford, believing the relentless criticism he faced—both online and offline—could have “broken” other players.
“I think many would prefer to just close that chapter and restart elsewhere,” he admits. “While I remain largely unaffected, that kind of external pressure can take a toll.”
“When the going gets tough, everyone criticizes you; conversely, when you’re performing well, you receive lots of praise. That’s the reality of playing for this club. Maintaining emotional balance amid the noise is vital as one week you can be seen as the worst player in the world, only to be praised the following week.”
“Ten Hag did want me to leave in 2023, but discussions with West Ham United didn’t materialize.”
Now, looking ahead, the club is grateful he declined interest from Italy and Saudi Arabia to prolong his stay. He has become a crucial contributor to the revival under Michael Carrick, steering United towards UEFA Champions League qualification.
“They communicated their intent to offer me a new deal a couple of months ago, likely around Christmas,” he explains. “My agent handled most of it, but I sensed significant interest from various sides. My primary focus has been helping this club regain its competitive status.”
With his future assured, Maguire is ready to look ahead.
His form since January led to his call-up to England’s squad for the first time in nearly two years, reigniting hopes of participating in a third FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer.
“I’m eager to participate,” Maguire states. “This could be my final World Cup, so I’m enthusiastic about contributing in any role the manager sees fit.”
“Whether that’s starting or making significant contributions later in matches, I still believe I’m among the top defenders globally in both defensive and attacking scenarios. I feel I can play a vital role, especially during crucial moments in games.”
Aiming for World Cup participation is one thing, but Maguire also harbors ambitions of ending his United career with a Premier League title.
“We are well-placed this year to set ourselves up for strong competition next year,” he asserts. “I feel honored to represent this club. Spending the next season here will mark my eighth year, which is a significant testament to my journey.”
“I wouldn’t alter my experiences or what I’ve endured; they’ve undoubtedly made me stronger. This is all part of my football journey.”