'You’ve got to give him credit' - Paul Scholes praises Harry Maguire after getting 'nothing but stick' this season

Paul Scholes says Harry Maguire deserves credit for the way he has come through a difficult 12 months at Manchester United and called on the defender to "cut out mistakes."

Maguire was the hero on Tuesday when he scored the winner in the Red Devils’ 1-0 Champions League win against FC Copenhagen.

The centre-back provided the spark Erik ten Hag’s side needed following a lacklustre first half, heading in a cross from Christian Erikesn to break the deadlock, before Andre Onana saved a penalty in the final seven minutes of the match to seal a much-needed victory.

Maguire, who has fallen down in Ten Hag’s pecking order since the arrivals of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, has faced much criticism for his performances over the last two seasons but has come back into the side to help United secure victory in their last three outings.

Despite being stripped of the captain's armband this summer, Maguire has helped the Red Devils claim victory in 16 of the last 17 matches he has started in.

Scholes told TNT Sports: “I think it’s quite difficult to say with this team at the minute because they’ve been that inconsistent.

“Varane gets injured quite a bit and his performance in the last Champions League match wasn’t right.

“I don’t think any of them have stepped up and said ‘I should be starting as a centre-half for this football club’ at the minute.

“I think Maguire’s, probably in the last couple of games, the best out of a bunch that really haven’t performed as well as they should be.”

Speaking on the difficulties the England centre-back has faced in the past year, the former Man United midfielder praised the defender, before adding that he now needs to step up again.

“You’ve got to give him credit because for a year he’s had nothing but abuse. Nothing but abuse. Nothing but stick," he said.

“This is the time now for him to cut out those mistakes and use his experience, which he didn’t do in the first half - which was a slight worry. But he’s won Manchester United the game. Along with the save from Onana. So it’s a big night for both of them.”

Rio Ferdinand also lauded Maguire's attitude, claiming that his resilience over the past year shows his character.

“He’s shown mental strength. Great character and great personality,” Ferdinand added.

“It’s what you expect from a player of his calibre. We’ve seen him do it countless times for England - that’s why he plays for England.

“He’s trusted by the England manager. You’ve got to build trust, earn trust and gain trust at your football club as well. And he hasn’t been able to do that because of a lack of consistency. Now he wouldn’t like to hear criticism and that’s human - that’s only natural.”

With the side recently losing both Varane and Martinez to injury, Maguire has started in United’s two previous Premier League outings, helping the Red Devils claim victory against Sheffield United and Brentford.

And while the England defender has proved pivotal of late, Ferdinand suggested that to build his confidence up further he needs to continue to perform.

“But then you’ve got to find a way of coming back out here, putting your shoulders back and look at the way he’s celebrated that. That’s desire and passion,” he said.

“That’s what you need. But he’s done it for two games and he’s going to do that over a period of time when he pulls on a shirt at Old Trafford. Because when you lose confidence it is difficult to get back.”

United have endured a difficult start to the season, sitting eighth after losing four of their opening nine games.

And after tonight’s dramatic win, Ferdinand said that the team needed to use the triumph as a turning point for the rest of the season.

He said: “The way the game ended - that’s something you’ve got to take into your next game now. You’ve got to use that as a springboard.”

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