Jamie Carragher Gives Fascinating Break Down Of Harry Maguire's Role In Atletico Madrid Goal

Jamie Carragher dissected Harry Maguire's role in Atletico Madrid's winner in Tuesday's Champions League clash before admitting the Manchester United captain is currently going through "the worst moment in his career."

It has been a disappointing campaign for Maguire, who has struggled to build momentum following a productive European Championship with England last summer.

In fact, the 29-year-old centre-back has not shown enough "consistency" this season due to "small mistakes" with big consequences, according to Rio Ferdinand.

Maguire has had his critics in recent months and following his performance against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, where he was cheered off after being substituted, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher gave his thoughts on the defender's form of late.

"The Manchester United captain who cost £80million was taken off in the game," Carragher told CBS Sports. 

"He is going through the worst moment in his career right now. We all have that moment, I can picture it now when I was playing.

"This is something that Harry Maguire is going through right now and he has to get out of it very quickly otherwise he won’t be at the club because the standards at Manchester United are so high."

Harry Maguire won't stay at Old Trafford for long unless he improves, according to @Carra23.@MichahRichards thinks the Manchester United captain needs to get back to basics. pic.twitter.com/XhT7lKf83e

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 15, 2022

Carragher added: "Of course he wants to [get out of it] but his head will be all over the place, he is getting criticism left right and centre. He’ll be criticised again – I think the crowd actually cheered when he went off. Which isn’t a nice thing for anyone.

"I’ve always been a fan of Harry Maguire. He gets criticised because he cost £80m. Virgil van Dijk cost £75m and is the best defender in the world.

"Harry Maguire is not that but he doesn’t set the price. He had a great summer with England at the Euros but this season has been a disaster and he almost just needs to get to the end of the season and just forget about football and get away.

"He's having a really tough time. And every decision he makes, he's probably overthinking it."

For the goal, a top CB senses the danger of the 2v1 vs Dalot & tracks Koke’s run. Instead Maguire runs back in a straight line into the zone already occupied by Telles??? Leaving Dalot with a 2v1 & Lodi free. This is not related to systems/tactics, just poor defensive instincts. pic.twitter.com/vcp6HiSsUi

— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) March 15, 2022

In the same segment, Carragher also analysed Harry Maguire's role in Renan Lodi's eventual winner. As you can see in the clip below, the former Liverpool defender questions his decision making.

Maguire's form this season has been questioned by many, including former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, who criticised Ralf Rangnick's decision to start the England international ahead of kick-off.

"The manager has shown faith in him to keep playing him considering the form he's been in. For me, the worry is what does this say about [Victor] Lindelof?

"When he's played, Lindelof has done okay. Nice and steady, not many mistakes. It seems everything Harry is doing has turned into an absolute disaster."

Rio Ferdinand, who was in the BT studio alongside Scholes, also gave his thoughts on the Maguire situation. "I think Rangnick is giving him the chance to perform.

"He's the captain of the football club. Captains at football clubs, in general, play. Harry himself will know he's been struggling for form recently - and when it's going against you, you tend to get punished for making mistakes time and time again."

"Atletico had a reliable group of men that understood the job at hand."

"Man Utd are looking at each other, hoping for a moment of individual brilliance."@rioferdy5 and Paul Scholes point to a lack of leadership being a big reason behind Man Utd's lack of direction...#UCL pic.twitter.com/q2PIS7fnzK

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 15, 2022

Thoughts on Maguire's form at present?

Let us know in the comments.