Some Manchester United careers might have ended vs Athletic Bilbao while others are starting

'Bring on United' read the banner. It is unlikely many of their supporters will demand Erik ten Hag bring on Harry Maguire this season.

From Australia to the United States to Ireland, boos have followed Maguire across land and sea. He was initially applauded warmly at the Aviva Stadium but then turned attack into defence and Nico Williams pounced to put Athletic Bilbao ahead.

The booing was possibly louder than at the MCG, where United's communications department suggested it was part of the cricketing sledging culture. Shane Warne would have admired that spin.

There comes a moment in every player's career when he has to accept he is done. Maguire is done at United. He lost his place last year and he lost the captaincy last month. His presence in the team fills some fans with dread and opponents with hope.

Also read: Mejbri good but Maguire poor: ratings vs Athletic Bilbao

Maguire still has some resilience in red. He ventured into the Athletic area in added time to nod down for the alert Facundo Pellistri to smack in an equaliser to avoid a third defeat in four games.

Yet the recurring boos suggest Maguire has lost the confidence of some supporters. Rebuilding his career at a club where the scrutiny is not as intense and the playing time is more fulfilling is in Maguire's interest 10 months ahead of the European Championship. He was world-class at the last Euros and could reach such heights again in Germany.

Maguire is so lacking in authority now that Dan Gore, the 18-year-old midfielder, queried the centre-back's positioning for an intended pass. Maguire, so loud during the lockdown fixtures his voice would cause ripples in the River Irwell, is not as voluble in what could still be his final weeks as a United player.