It is hard to criticise some players without being called plastic, negative, disloyal or ‘toxic’ these days. But simply put, Harry Maguire is indeed not capable of leading Manchester United's defence or serving as the club's captain. Harry Maguire is pound for pound, among the worst signings the club has ever done in terms of efficiency.
We've spent the last two seasons slamming everybody in Maguire's orbit. Someone quick because he is slow, has strong acceleration because he lacks it, is a good ball-playing defender because he isn't, and is a shouter and chief who can mobilise and coordinate the defence because he can't.
If these were Maguire's only flaws, what were his incredible qualities that prompted not one, but two Manchester United managers to want and acquire him from Leicester City? Is he just so good in the air? Is he such a good presence in the locker room? Is he that productive? Is it worth £80 million? Undoubtedly, one of the biggest problems in this current Manchester United side?
Not trying to say that Maguire’s partner for most games of the season, Victor Lindelof and David De Gea are flawless, but Harry doesn’t seem to understand. When the ball bounces to a winger this season, both full-backs have appeared to get trapped too centrally, perhaps Aaron Wan Bissaka in particular, although it may be speculated that part of the cause is that they are covering unmarked men in the box.
For a moment, keeping everything aside, still, we can’t ignore one fact. Maguire’s positional sense is the biggest problem. United uses a zonal marking scheme, but Harry is still in the wrong part of the field. As United's right flank is struck, he moves to the near post, leaving a break at the far post. He pulls back too far when attacked on the left, leaving a gaping void between himself and Lindelof.
In the end, United paid £80 million for this player. When he was purchased, he did seem to be a much better player for Leicester and England. But within 2 years, the tables have kind of turned for him. When you spend a lot of money on something, you develop a psychological bond to it. If you have two shirts, one that you paid a lot of money for and the other that you got for free, you'll always find you look good in the first one. You want to look perfect in the expensive shirt, no matter what the people compliment you for how you look in the thrift store shirt. United – Solskjaer and the team – must forget about the money spent on each player and choose players solely on their merits.
Even then, the choices are meh as well. Eric Bailly can’t stay fit for a long time. Axel Tuanzebe is shaky. Rojo has left and Phil Jones is just Phil Jones.
It’s not that Maguire is bad, or that he should be sold off. It’s just simply unbelievable that he is the leader of United’s defence or the captain of the team.
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