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Talking Tactics: Are Manchester United Wasting This Rising Talent By Playing Him In Defence?

Paddy McNair is one of the youth academy graduates who has been playing as a centre-back for the team. The Northern Irish player was brought in as a midfielder but was later converted into a defender by United youth coach Paul McGuiness.

Paddy McNair has been used in the senior team due to the injury crisis at many occasions and has impressed the coaches to be an emerging star at the club. His senior debut came against West Ham United in 2014. Even though the Northern Irish player wasn’t much experienced for England’s top level football, Red Devils won all the first four matches when Paddy McNair was in the starting XI.

The Northern Irish footballer has made 27 appearances as a defender for Manchester United since 2014.

Playing for his country, he is placed as a midfielder, which is actually where he used to pay and still prefers to.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has stated his opinion that Manchester United star is being played in the wrong position after his solid performance as a midfielder against Wales.

“I think that’s his best position where we played him. I was really pleased with him. He was a physical presence but he showed his quality on the ball.” Northern Ireland boss said.

Louis van Gaal doesn’t seem to care enough to look into these matters since his arrival at the club has started the injury crisis, leaving not many options to play for each position.

The Dutch boss has players like Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Morgan Schneiderlin to play at the Centre-Midfield role and the Northern Irish footballer has to really step up his  game to replace one of these for that position.

Manchester United hasn’t wasted McNair’s time at the club. The 20-year-old is getting some play time even though it’s not his best position. His defending abilities have impressed the club to use him as a centre-back when they don’t have the usual first team players available. McNair is lucky to be getting play time at some occasions rather than just playing in the reserves team and hoping for a breakthrough.

Paddy McNair is just 20 and has gained a lot of experience due to this. He still has a lot of time on his hands and can transform to a midfielder a bit later in his career at Manchester United.

Written by Lakshay Khurana

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