MANCHESTER UNITED legend Steve Bruce believes Harry Maguire would "walk into many Premier League teams" as he questioned criticism of the England defender.
Maguire, 30, started his first club game of the season on Tuesday night in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.
He has found himself down the pecking order since Erik ten Hag's arrival at the beginning of last season.
Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and even Luke Shaw have been preferred to him at centre-back.
Maguire rejected a move to West Ham in the summer, before he came under fire during the international break when he scored an own goal in England's 3-1 win over Scotland.
But Bruce, who played at the heart of Man Utd's defence for nine years and won three Premier League titles, has questioned where criticism of Maguire is coming from.
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Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "It's good to see him on the pitch as he hasn't started, he has only really started for England and played very well.
"It's a really difficult situation for him because this criticism is coming from where?
"I can't see it really from the stands, not sure where it escalates apart from maybe social media.
"This is a great opportunity and let's not forget he is a very good player who would probably walk into many Premier League teams."
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He went on to add: "It's very rare fans here get on top of anybody's back, they never single out an individual. Very, very rarely have I witnessed it.
"I don't think [criticism] it generates from stadium, maybe outside stuff and maybe social media is the key to it all. He [Maguire] has never let anybody down, I don't think he has let Man United down.
"Of course he has made a few mistakes and the odd own goal. He has made mistakes, he is a centre-back but over the years has proved to be a very good player."
Maguire has played 177 games for Man Utd, with his only major trophy coming in the shape of last season's Carabao Cup.
He has started just eight Premier League games since Ten Hag's arrival and his future at the club remains uncertain.
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