Aheed Abrar
Graeme Souness believes Harry Maguire “more than capable” of getting back into Manchester United starting XI
Liverpool icon Graeme Souness has backed Harry Maguire to make his way back into the Manchester United starting lineup. The former player and manager of the Merseyside outfit is confident in the England international’s abilities.
The 29-year-old has gone down the pecking order since Erik ten Hag’s arrival. He started the first two games of the season for the Red Devils. However, we lost both. Since then, the centre-back has found it hard to get into the Old Trafford side’s team.
However, writing in the Daily Mail (h/t Metro), Souness, who spent almost seven seasons at Liverpool during his playing career, believes Maguire is “more than capable” of making his way back into the Dutch manager’s plans.
“I have to say, I am also pleased for Harry Maguire. He was much maligned going into the tournament by people who find it easy to criticise. He is far better than some folk make out.
“He had a very good World Cup and the challenge for him now is to dislodge one of the centre-halves at Man United, Raphael Varane or Lisandro Martinez. I think he is more than capable of doing that.”
The 29-year-old signed for the Red Devils in the summer of 2019 from Leicester City. He immediately made a mark in Manchester and was handed the captain’s armband at the club.
However, since last season, the England international has struggled in the Old Trafford side’s backline. He made a lot of errors in the previous campaign, which frustrated the fanbase.
The centre-back was given an opportunity against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford by Ten Hag. Unfortunately, the defender was unable to make his case.
But while Maguire has found life hard at United, Gareth Southgate still trusted him. The English manager took the 29-year-old to Qatar with the Three Lions. He was one of the best defenders at the 2022 World Cup.
However, the former Leicester star has two quality centre-backs ahead of him at the Old Trafford side. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have formed a solid partnership at the Manchester-based club. They also made it to the final of the 2022 World Cup with France and Argentina.
More Manchester United News
- Manchester United are confident that they will sign Cody Gakpo next month
- Transfer News: Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal for forward Joao Felix
- Manchester United will look to bolster four department position in 2023
Now, United have two World Cup-winning defenders in Varane and Martinez, after La Albiceleste triumphed in Qatar. Thus, it is evidently going to be a challenging task for Maguire to displace either of them in the Red Devils’ XI.
