Harry Maguire can’t save his Man United career, says Jamie Carragher

Harry Maguire looks like a ‘startled bunny’ who needs to cut his losses at Manchester United and start afresh in his career, according to Jamie Carragher.

The 29-year-old was one of England’s star performers during their run to the European Championship final last year but finds himself in a slump for both club and country.

He was jeered by England fans at Wembley when his name was read out prior to Monday night’s Nations League encounter with Germany.

The Manchester United defender conceded a penalty and gave the ball away for Germany’s second goal before England fought back at Wembley

Maguire then conceded a penalty before losing the ball in the lead-up to Germany’s second goal in the 3-3 draw, putting his place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup line-up in serious jeopardy.

And former England and Liverpool defender Carragher questioned whether Maguire has the mental resolve and fighting spirit to keep weathering the storm.

Jamie Carragher has suggested that Maguire may need to leave United for a fresh start

‘My question to Maguire is this: “Do you still have that same fury in you?” Carragher wrote in his Daily Telegraph column.

‘Too often, it looks as if the weight of the world is on his shoulders, like he is a startled bunny more than the authoritative centre-back he was.

‘I think it is too late at club level. I wrote last year he was fighting for his Manchester United career.

‘He needs this to be his final season at Old Trafford and start afresh.

‘Now it is England’s problem. When I watched Maguire in the last two games, I felt sorry for him. But that is not a good look for any sports person.

‘Sympathy will not get him back where he was two years ago.’

While Maguire has received the backing of Southgate and will almost certainly be in the squad for Qatar, he faces the prospect of going into the World Cup short on match practice.

Erik ten Hag dropped his captain from the United team after they lost their first two Premier League games of the season, against Brighton and Brentford.

Maguire retains the trust of England manager Gareth Southgate but his place is under threat

The defender (top right) was also dropped by United manager Erik ten Hag earlier this season

With Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez forming an effective central defensive partnership, and United winning their four subsequent league games, Maguire isn’t likely to regain his spot anytime soon.

Carragher added: ‘Criticism of his performance against Germany is valid and justified and Southgate must assess if Maguire is mentally right for a World Cup, able to show he can put all the issues behind him.

‘In the past, it is something Maguire has struggled with. How can the manager make such a big call before the opening game against Iran unless Maguire is playing for his club?’ 

It came as Southgate held a heart-to-heart with Maguire in the Wembley tunnel after his error-strewn display on Monday night.

He held a personal one-on-one chat to offer his defender support before he left the national stadium. 

Maguire was also backed by several of his team-mates following the game.

Harry Kane praised Harry Maguire’s ‘great character’ after he played the final 10 minutes of England’s game with Germany on Monday night

Skipper Harry Kane said: ‘Any individual mistake, you’re going to be gutted. But we are a team, we will get behind each other.

‘They will learn from it and they’ll move on. They have been great for us every time they put the shirt on. 

‘H [Maguire] had a pretty decent injury there at the end, where he played another five, 10 minutes, on almost one leg.

‘Great character from him, I’m really proud of him for that.’