Please enable JavaScript to experience the full functionality of GMX.

Harry Maguire feels more pressure playing for Man Utd than England

Harry Maguire feels more pressure playing for Man Utd than England

Harry Maguire believes that the pressure of playing for Manchester United is on a "different scale" to representing England.

The defender has faced criticism since joining the Red Devils from Leicester in 2019 and admits that he finds life at the club far more pressurised than when he plays for the Three Lions.

Speaking to former United defender Rio Ferdinand, Maguire said: "I think there's more scrutiny on Manchester United just because more people in the country hate them, and that's just a fact.

"Everyone in the Premier League dislikes Man Utd and they don't want to see them do well. At England, everyone gets together."

He continued: "We've had players who signed here from Chelsea – Juan (Mata), Nemanja (Matic), all of those boys.

"The size of the scrutiny and pressure (at Man Utd) they were speaking to me about... it's just a different league. It's a totally different scale."

Despite their struggles in recent seasons, Maguire admits that United's status as one of the biggest clubs in world football means there will always be additional scrutiny.

He said: "The main thing you realise is the scrutiny and analysis on the matches. Every single thing gets analysed, you've got to be perfect in your work.

"But then on the other hand, when things are going well, you get the praise and the privileges of playing for the best club in the world."

Maguire fought hard to regain his place at Old Trafford after being stripped of the captaincy by former manager Erik ten Hag in 2023 and urged players to keep going through tough times.

He said: "The main thing I always say is that you can only do what you can do.

"On a football pitch you get judged and when you play for this club everything gets analysed.

"Every goal that goes in the back of the net is someone's fault – it always gets pinpointed on somebody even though it could just be a good goal.

"I think you become used to it but for a young boy coming into it... when you're a young boy you have no fear and then once you make a couple of mistakes and after a couple of seasons people start expecting things from you, that's when the real test comes.

"I've seen a lot of players at Manchester United break through in one or two years and after the second year they start getting questioned and the form dips a little bit and I think it happens so much."

Sponsored Content

Related Headlines