Harry Maguire has endured a very tough start to 2022/23.

Last season wasn't exactly kind to the Manchester United captain either. His form fell off a cliff after he starred for England at Euro 2020, where he earned himself a spot in the Team of the Tournament.

But at least Maguire kept his place in the Red Devils' starting XI throughout 2021/22, something which has changed under Erik ten Hag this campaign.

The England regular started United's first two games of the season, where the team were beaten 2-1 by Brighton then 4-0 at the hands of Brentford.

After those two horror shows, Ten Hag made the call to drop Maguire and in truth, it's paid dividends.

United have won five of their last six games in all competitions and the only time they tasted defeat in that run was against Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League, a match which Maguire started.

Yeah, things aren't going great for the ex-Leicester City man, although he has at least kept his spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad - which means he'll almost certainly be on the plane to the Qatar World Cup later this year.

Harry Maguire in action with Man Utd

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 08: Harry Maguire of Manchester United in action during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Manchester United and Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on September 08, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

But Maguire's club career really has taken a turn for the worse and it's hard to see how gets back on the side of United fans.

The 29-year-old still has supporters in the Red Devils' dressing room, though.

When recently speaking to The Sportsman, United academy graduate Brandon Williams - who spent last season on loan at Norwich City - passionately defended his captain when asked how he was doing mentally.

Video: Williams defended Maguire during passionate interview

Williams, who reportedly earns £65,000-a-week, said: "People don't listen to the outside world. Harry [Maguire] will go into training a hundred per cent every day. Harry will give, whether he’s starting the game, whether he’s not starting the game, one hundred per cent.

"If you're doing well in training, who’s some little idiot sat on Twitter that’s going to tell you that you shouldn't be starting a game. Who is he? I genuinely don't get it.

"He's [Maguire] already had a great career. He's on stepping stones and he'll get to the top where he wants to be. He's already at the top. He's captain of #mufc. I dream to be that one day and he's already done it."

Fair play, Brandon.

Brandon Williams in a Man Utd warm-up

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Brandon WIlliams of Manchester United reacts as he warms up prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on May 13, 2021 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The versatile defender is clearly not happy with the treatment Maguire has received online in recent times, which is more than understandable.

However, while it feels like the United captain has been unfairly targeted on occasions, there is no shirking away from the fact that he's a pale shadow of the player we saw at both Leicester and at Euro 2020.

Maybe it would just be best for both Magure and the Red Devils if they parted ways in the near future...