Kieran Gill claims Harry Maguire ‘made his own bed’ by turning down West Ham
Daily Mail journalist Kieran Gill has claimed Harry Maguire is to blame for his own struggles at Manchester United, as he was offered a way out before turning down a move to West Ham over the summer.
These comments come following two poor displays for the Manchester United defender over the international break – firstly an error with his positioning leading to Ukraine’s goal, and then an own-goal to gift Scotland a chance at a comeback.
Maguire turned down a move to West Ham in the summer transfer window following complications surrounding his wage and a payout from Manchester United, with the Hammers ultimately growing tired of the delays [The Guardian, 14 August].
The Daily Mail journalist wrote, as shared by their Twitter account, on 13 August: “He should regret not joining West Ham – Harry Maguire is no prisoner at Man United.
“West Ham offered him a way out. Maguire made his own bed by refusing to leave United so now he has to lie in it.”
He had the opportunity to step away
The constant media circus surrounding Maguire both online and in print has been over the top and exaggerated, as Gareth Southgate said himself, but the defender had every opportunity to step away from the high scrutiny that comes with playing for Manchester United and chose not to take it.
Every move he makes, every kick of the ball, every header won and every tackle made is currently under intense scrutiny, no matter if he plays well or not. Gill’s comments are further proof of this – when have you ever seen a player so highly criticised for his own career decisions?
After all – it’s not been long since everybody took a step back and reconsidered their critical stance on Everton’s Dele Alli after he revealed his personal struggles off the pitch on The Overlap.
Ultimately Maguire’s performances have not been good enough. There’s no getting away from that. It is unlikely he’ll ever regain his starting role at Old Trafford, and he should have taken his chance at a fresh start in East London. But does he deserve to be hung, drawn and quartered for it? Absolutely not.
If the opportunity arises once more in January it seems likely Maguire would have to consider it, he needs to get out of the toxic atmosphere and everybody needs to ease off in their intense criticisms.
In other West Ham news, a journalist has claimed the club are stronger in the absence of Declan Rice.