Harry Maguire has been a target for fans and the media for several years, with Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch believing the defender has been treated unfairly by Manchester United
Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire has been subjected to brutal criticism over the years(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United)
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Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch reckon Harry Maguire has been unfairly treated during his time at Manchester United. The 32-year-old centre-back faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford after entering the final 12 months of his deal.
From January, foreign clubs will be eligible to approach Maguire about a free transfer in the summer – unless he puts pen to paper on fresh terms beforehand. Should the England international refuse to sign an extension, United will face a tough call.
The Red Devils must weigh up whether to let Maguire walk away for nothing at the season's end or cash in during the January window for a small portion of the £80m they splashed out for his services back in 2019. The Daily Mail reports that United are in discussions with the player regarding a new contract, although no formal offer has been tabled yet.
The report claims that any prospect of Maguire accepting reduced wages would depend on the specifics of the deal, particularly the duration of the contract. Despite bailing out the Red Devils on countless occasions in the past, Rooney and Crouch feel the Englishman has been harshly treated and have taken umbrage at comments aimed at him by his critics.
Speaking on his podcast after United's 2-1 triumph over Liverpool, Rooney said: "Today shows why he should be in the World Cup squad. And I really mean that. I think he's so important.
"I think with Harry, I would really struggle to have dealt with what he's been through. You know, he was a meme for years. I've seen him in Parliament over in Africa somewhere, where he's getting brought up in that, and they're laughing at him.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-2 during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, United Kingdom
Maguire proved the match hero against Liverpool(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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"So for him to have dealt with so much, he's incredibly strong-minded to have gone through that. Then, getting the armband taken off him, and people laughing at him."
Rooney added: "You're like, this guy has been in World Cup teams of the tournament and been incredible for England, been really good for Man United, and it's completely unfair, and it was bullying.
"He was getting bullied from all over the place, and for him to have dealt with that and got through it and stuck with it, you'd have to say, 'You know what, that's a strong human being'.
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"And for him to get through that and his family to get through that and come out the other side and show his ability and quality and strength, I couldn't be happier for him."
Echoing Rooney's sentiments, Crouch said on his podcast: "I'm just really, really pleased for him. Throughout my career, there have been points where I've been low and I've had a lot of grief, a lot of stick, so I kind of know what that's like.
"For him to get that amount of grief, it was above and beyond what is acceptable, I think. Attacking his family, his personality, the way he looks, everything was wrong about the way he's been villainised at that club."
Wayne Rooney claimed he felt that Harry Maguire was being 'bullied'
Wayne Rooney claimed he felt that Harry Maguire was being 'bullied'
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Crouch continued: "I just think it shows absolutely massive b******* to consistently to go [and perform]. Even the game against Liverpool, it was like, 'Ah, why's he playing? !' There's always this whole thing of being down on him starting.
"Listen, there have been times where he hasn't been good enough and that's been called out, but I think the stick went beyond football. When he scored... genuinely, I don't want to see any Manchester United player score.
"But when it was him, I kind of half had a feeling of, 'Good for him, he kind of deserves this,' and I think there's a lot of the football community that feel that way."
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