Graeme Souness jumped to the defense of Manchester United captain Harry Maguire.
Speaking in his column in The Mirror, Souness describes the stick Maguire has faced in his recent performances as vile.
With the former Liverpool man not famous for defending United players, Maguire appears to have found himself an unlikely ally.
Souness feels that Maguire receives unnecessary criticism for his performances and that all of United’s misfortunes are at his feet.
“He has become a lightning rod for all of United’s ills. All the faults of the club are piling up at his door. Ridiculous. I can’t remember a game that United have lost just because of Harry Maguire,” he said.
The Scot admits that Maguire has made mistakes, but cited the lack of quality from the players around him as a major factor in the centre-back’s problems.
“He has been guilty of making mistakes. You rely on having good central midfielders in front of you. United players in those central midfield positions have not been good enough.
I don’t think Maguire has ever been part of a reliable and consistent United back four. Raphael Varane has shown more consistency this year, but you would never think that Eric Bailly or Victor Lindelof would have another big club wanting to sign them.” he said.
Souness also stated that he feels that Maguire has the ability to answer his critics and return to his best form.
“He has the qualities to be a great player and a great defender and they will come back.”
Finally, Souness also advised Maguire to listen to the United staff and block out the negative press currently surrounding him.
“My advice to him would be: keep your head down. Believe in the qualities you have. Hear from those who really matter at United. And shut out the haters.”
Despite Souness’ drive, there is no question that Maguire’s performances have been below United’s standard over the last 18 months. A shaky night at Wembley in England’s final Nations League game, against Germany, has shed further light on the captain’s poor form.
Maguire will be desperate to rediscover some form ahead of the World Cup with his place in Gareth Southgate’s first team now under severe scrutiny.
Unfortunately for him, the resurgence will not start this weekend. An injury picked up in the aforementioned international has officially ruled Maguire out of the appetizing Manchester derby on Sunday.
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