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 97th-minute 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.
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.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
