David Beckham tells Harry Maguire what he must do amid Manchester United struggles

David Beckham has told Harry Maguire to focus on the football and shut out the criticism coming his way.

The Manchester United defender has struggled for form in recent months and has slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford. The 30-year-old has been the subject of abuse in stadiums as well as on social media.

Manager Erik ten Hag stripped him of the captaincy ahead of this season and Maguire has found minutes hard to come by under the Dutchman. He has retained his place in the England set-up under Gareth Southgate but faces an uncertain future for club and country.

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And Beckham, who received widespread abuse in 1998 on the back of his red card for England against Argentina, believes the centre back is being unfairly targeted. Speaking to the Stick to Football Podcast, he said: "The criticism of Harry Maguire has gone too far

“Harry has to keep doing what he’s doing. He’s got to focus on football, which he does. He’s a good lad – he’s had a great career. Has the criticism got too much? I think it has.”

Beckham faced huge abuse when he returned to United duty on the back of a red card for kicking out at Diego Simeone in the last-16 of a World Cup tie against Argentina which England ultimately lost on penalties. He had the benefit of being an important player at United and is speaking from experience with the advice he is giving Maguire.

"The abuse I received after the World Cup was tough to take," said Beckham. “It [getting sent off at the 1998 World Cup] was a low point – but we all go through those moments, and it