Harry Maguire not yet Man Utd leader and is BURNT OUT with Luke Shaw, says Neville who weighs in on England celebration
GARY NEVILLE believes that Harry Maguire is 'not there yet' as a leader at Manchester United.
The pundit, 46, also reckons that the defender, as well as team-mate Luke Shaw, is suffering from 'burn out'.
Maguire's United form has suffered in recent weeks, not covering himself in glory in defeats to Leicester, Manchester City and Liverpool.
But when he appeared to hit back at his critics by cupping his ears while celebrating his goal against Albania, the England star was labelled 'embarrassing' and 'a disgrace' by Roy Keane.
Neville, however, has a softer view on Maguire's situation.
He told the : "When I saw him do that I thought he would get criticism.
"But whatever you need to do, Harry, to be you and get your confidence and authority back, you go for it. It's part of his learning.
"Harry Maguire is an emerging leader but is not there yet. I thought he was getting the United dressing room in the palm of his hand at the end of last season.
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"Then he went to the European Championships injured and had the most incredible experience.
"What is happening now is that Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are experiencing post-Euros syndrome and burn out.
"I know because I have had it. At the start of the 1998-1999 season, two games in, I was playing at West Ham and Kiddo [Brian Kidd] came over to me and said: 'You are f****d aren't you?'.
"I was like: 'Kiddo I am done'. They subbed me then gave me two weeks off.
"I had played Umbro Cup '95, Euro '96, Le Tournoi '97 and then World Cup '98 and at the start of that next season I blew up.
"Harry Maguire is the future of the club along with some others so I have no doubts about him.
"He is just going through a two or three year mad period like I did. It emotionally drains you. Only three weeks off every summer.
"When he puts his hands to his ears I get it. I once went over to Liverpool fans and gave them loads.
If he was good with it then I am good with it
Neville on Maguire's celebration
"I once played Vasco da Gama and gave two pass backs away in three minutes, played Edmundo and Romario in, and lost us a World Club Championship and lost my confidence for six months and ended up seeing a psychologist.
"So I have been where Harry Maguire may be today.
"So when he puts his hands to his ears all I would want to know most is whether he regretted doing it after the game or whether he is good with it.
"And if he was good with it then I am good with it."
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Despite United's poor form of late, Neville has again refused to call on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be sacked - insisting that he 'cringes' whenever he hears another pundit do so.
The Red Devils travel to Watford this afternoon looking to get back to winning ways.
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