Brandon Williams defends Harry Maguire over criticism by Twitter 'idiots'

Brandon Williams has launched a passionate defence over under-fire Manchester United team-mate Harry Maguire by hitting out at 'idiots' on Twitter.

Maguire's form for United has been questioned since the start of last season and new manager Erik ten Hag has dropped the England international to the bench in favour of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.

Williams though says that despite the noise surrounding Maguire on social media, the centre-back still gives his all and shouldn't listen to the negative attention that surrounds him.

He told the Sportsman: 'People don't listen to the outside world. Harry will go into training a hundred per cent every day.

'Harry will give, whether he's starting the game, whether he's not starting the game, one hundred per cent.

'We don't care about the outside world because the only thing that matters is the opinions on the inside. The opinions on the inside are the most important.

'If you're doing well in training, who's some little idiot sat on Twitter that's going to tell you that you shouldn't be starting a game. Who is he? I genuinely don't get it. Harry is a top fella. Top captain and top player. He'll have a great career.

'He's already had a great career. He's on stepping stones and he'll get to the top where he wants to be. He's already at the top. He's captain of Man United. I dream to be that one day and he's already done it.'

Ten Hag revealed over the summer that Maguire would remain as United's captain following his arrival, and the 29-year-old started the opening two games of the season.

However, both games resulted in humiliation for United, with a 2-1 loss to Brighton followed by a 4-0 thumping by Brentford.

Since then he has been left on the bench as United have bounced back with four consecutive victories, with Maguire only making a ten minute cameo off the bench against Arsenal.

Maguire similarly started United's Europa League opener to Real Sociedad which ended in a 1-0 defeat, before coming off the bench in the last minute against Sheriff Tiraspol.

Despite his struggles at Old Trafford, Maguire has been one of England's standout performers, going back to his impressive displays for the Three Lions at Euro 2022.

His performances for his country has seen him called up for this month's Nations League games with Italy and Germany, despite his lack of game-time at club level.

Williams, 22, is currently out of action as he recovers from a back injury, but he is eager to return when he is 100 per cent fit to better his chances of returning to first-team action.