Pranav Nair
Robbie Savage believes Manchester United are a better team with Harry Maguire in the playing XI
According to Manchester Evening News, ex-Wales international Robbie Savage believes Manchester United are a better team with defender Harry Maguire in the playing XI.
The Red Devils star has struggled to impress this season and has been privy to several high-profile mistakes recently. With his reputation called into question, the Red Devils skipper faces a pivotal few months to rebuild his name.
One man who does not appear to be ready to question Maguire’s ability is Savage. In fact, the pundit believes that the Englishman forms an excellent partnership with Raphael Varane at centre-back and is a sure starter in goal when fit.
“No I don’t [think United are better without him] Varane and Maguire for me is the partner for me, they’ve got Bailly and Lindelof. but I think Maguire and Varane are the best two.”
Savage’s appraisal is, however, not blind faith. He in fact acknowledges that Maguire’s major weakness is his lack of pace. It has often seen him get into trouble irrecoverably and get himself on the wrong side of decision making, with his recent outings against Burnley and Southampton a prime example of it.
Leader at the back
The Man United skipper, however, is an excellent influence in the dressing room and displays a top-class work ethic. Given that Savage’s son Carlie is at the club’s academy, it is fair to say that he has an idea of the impact the skipper has in the youth ranks.
“What Maguire lacks in a little bit of pace, his influence in the dressing room, the youngsters coming through the academy, my son [Charlie], his work ethic, okay he’s not in the best of times but he never shirks responsibility he’s always there.”
Man United paid a king’s ransom to land Maguire from Leicester City and the Englishman now has the moniker of the world’s most expensive defender. Expecting him to become the world’s best would be asking for too much but there is no reason why Maguire cannot establish himself as a solid Premier League star.
The clock is ticking and there is no room for error at Old Trafford for Maguire anymore. Any more lost points will threaten our ability to finish in the top four. The lack of a leader on the pitch is visible and the stage is set for Maguire to step up and take charge. Whether he rises to the occasion or not remains to be seen.
It is common for under-fire stars to have their subsequent mistakes overly scrutinized and criticized. Maguire first needs to get the basics right, have a few solid games under his belt, and then build from there. He was solid for England at the UEFA Euros last summer so it is truly baffling to see why he is struggling to this extent in our Red shirt.
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Manchester United face a pivotal few months ahead of where they will be looking to guarantee Champions League qualification. With several difficult games to come, the Red Devils need to tighten themselves at the back. There is no better time than now for Maguire and co to prove their worth.
