Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has delivered a blunt piece of advice to new arrivals Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Matheus Cunha be mentally prepared for the scrutiny and criticism that comes with wearing the famous red shirt.
Maguire, who has spent six years at Old Trafford during a turbulent period for the club, stressed that talent alone is not enough to thrive at United. He warned that the intense spotlight and constant judgment can break players who are not mentally strong.
“Everyone’s going to hate you, so mental strength is definitely going to play a big part,” he said. “You’ve got to act like you’re in a playground, not in front of packed stands. That’s something we’ve struggled with for the last ten years.”
The centre-back pointed to teammate Bruno Fernandes as an example of the mentality needed to succeed at United. He described the Portuguese midfielder as ‘oblivious’ to outside noise, saying Fernandes doesn’t care what anyone thinks or says and instead focuses entirely on his ability, which he consistently displays on the pitch.
Maguire cautioned that some players enjoy a strong start but falter after a year or two when the criticism intensifies. He highlighted the importance of having a solid support system and family around, especially for players arriving from other countries who may lack such a network in England.
He also admitted that the level of scrutiny at United is far greater than with the national team. According to Maguire, playing for England feels different because there is a shared sense of support from the nation, whereas Manchester United faces widespread hostility.
“There’s more scrutiny on Manchester United, simply because a lot of people hate us. It’s a fact,” Maguire explained. He believes that no club in the Premier League attracts as much pressure or as many detractors as United, which is why mental resilience is non-negotiable for anyone aiming to succeed there.
For Bmeumo, Sesko, and Cunha, the challenge will be as much about handling the mental side of the game as producing results on the pitch. As Maguire’s words make clear, thriving at Old Trafford requires thick skin, unwavering self-belief, and the ability to shut out the noise or risk being consumed by it.
