Maguire received a phone call from 'role model' Beckham to deal with fan abuse

Harry Maguire has spoken movingly about the phone call from boyhood hero David Beckham that has helped him cope with the abuse he’s received playing for Manchester United and England.

Beckham, who was widely pilloried when he was sent off at the 1998 World Cup early in his career, got in touch with Maguire after criticism heaped on the defender peaked after he scored an own goal against Scotland last month.

Maguire, who assisted United’s winner against Brentford on a rare start under Erik ten Hag last Saturday, revealed details about his uplifting conversation with Beckham, whose own problems after his red card against Argentina are featured in a current Netflix documentary about his career.

‘He has been a big role model for me growing up in the playground. Whenever I took a shot, I was always David Beckham,’ said Maguire, who could win his 60th cap against Australia on Friday.

‘I’ve watched the documentary. Obviously a lot of people are speaking about me at the moment, but to see what he went through and the resilience he showed, he really inspired me.

‘I spoke with David about three weeks ago after the Scotland game. He got in touch with me which was really nice and I appreciated it.

‘I don’t want to go too much into the conversation but the main thing he did was remind me of the career I’ve had to date and the big moments I’ve had.

‘When you’re going through tough moments you’ve got to go through past experiences and memories.

‘Every career is so up and down, especially when you’ve reached being captain of the biggest club in the world for three-and-a-half years. He’s been in that position and knows what it’s like.

‘I couldn’t believe watching the documentary how much he went through at the time. Gary Neville speaks about how resilient he is as a person. I think he’s been a huge role model for many footballers growing up, especially in my era.’

Maguire has struggled to win a regular place at United since Erik ten Hag’s arrival and some jeering from his own fans has led to widespread mockery from opposition supporters at club and international level.

England boss Gareth Southgate, who suffered his own travails after missing a penalty at Euro 96, said he’d “never known a player treated the way he (Maguire) is” after the Scotland game and blamed English commentators and pundits.

Ironically, Maguire addressed the abuse he’d received on World Mental Health Day.

‘Look, it’s not just me. I don’t want all the spotlight on me because it’s mental health week,’ he said.

‘Everyone, whether you’re a footballer or not, has challenges every day. We are in the spotlight but every day people wake up with mental health [problems] whether it’s going to their own jobs or anything.

‘It’s tough, it is about speaking out, getting support and speaking to your loved ones. I’m lucky to have great family and friends around me.

‘It probably affects my family and friends more than it affects myself, especially when I am playing in a game.’

Maguire was a hero again on Saturday after his knockdown provided Scott McTominay with an injury-time winner against Brentford.

‘I am getting all the plaudits again but there are going to be times where I am going to receive criticism from now until the end of my career,’ added the 30-year-old.

‘That is football. It is how you deal with it and bounce back. I don’t want to be getting a pat on the back, I have had some huge plaudits over the years playing for my country. Yeah, probably the last year or so hasn’t been like that but the previous five I was getting loads and loads of credit. That’s the wary it works. Even Messi and Ronaldo, the best in the world, still get criticised.’

England were announced on Tuesday as part of a successful UK and Ireland bid to host Euro 2028. Maguire will be 35 then but promised to be present in some capacity.’

'Hopefully, I will be in the squad but, either way, I am sure I will be at the tournament,’ said the centre-half who helped England reach the last Euros final.

‘I’ll either be in the stands with my mates having a few pints or in the squad, helping the lads.’