Patrice Evra is pleased Harry Maguire is enjoying his best run of form for a while, even if it is coming in an England shirt rather than a Manchester United one.
The much-maligned central defender has come in for some serious criticism in recent months, though almost the entirety of his chapter at Old Trafford has been plagued by poor form and subsequent backlash. However, Maguire has always looked significantly more assured when representing his country and that has not changed at the Qatar World Cup.
England have managed to keep two clean sheets during their three-match group stage campaign as the Three Lions emerged top from Group B and have set-up a round of 16 clash with reigning Africa Cup of Nations holders Senegal as a result.
Speaking to Betfair, former Old Trafford favourite Evra confessed his delight at seeing Maguire earn some praise for his performances rather than the usual barrage of criticism he has got so often when donning the red of United.
"I'm so pleased with Maguire's upturn in form because at one point, he started to get bullied," the Frenchman explained. "It wasn't fair. Even when he was playing a good game for Man United, people would say he had a bad game and when he wasn't playing, if we conceded a goal it was because Maguire was in the stands smiling. Like, come on.
"With what's happening at Man United, people tried to apply the same pressure on him with England and it didn't work. I see many players who perform well for the club and they don't perform well for their country. But some players perform well for their country and they don't perform for their club.
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"That's where Maguire is right now. This is good news for Man United because when he goes back to United, I hope he has the same attitude, the same discipline and to make sure when people talk, he thinks, 'I'm a good player, I'm a good centre-back, I know what I can do.'"
Maguire has been operating as part of a back four in Gareth Southgate's side so far, partnered alongside Manchester City talent John Stones with United colleague Luke Shaw the other side of him at left-back.
Evra went to praise England boss Southgate for Maguire's recent displays, adding: "Southgate has given Maguire credit and confidence and maybe with Erik ten Hag, Maguire doesn't have the same confidence he had with the previous manager. Maybe his confidence is a little bit low. Southgate, the way he's protected him, Maguire should be saying 'thanks' to Southgate."
