Harry Maguire came to the rescue for Erik ten Hag in their recent win over FC Copenhagen with a storming header on Tuesday evening in their Champions League match, and seems to be on a quest to silence his doubters. We caught up with former Manchester United defender Paul Parker who weighed in on the Harry Maguire conversation with some insightful thoughts.
In this article:
- The way Manchester United play doesn’t suit Maguire
- United won’t win the league with Maguire starting
- Casemiro regret rumours
The Way Manchester United Play Doesn’t Suit Maguire
Based on Harry Maguire’s recent four matches, it seems he’s determined to silence the numerous sceptics and critics he’s garnered over the past seasons. His decisive goal against FC Copenhagen has likely done much to regain the trust of the United supporters and, crucially, Erik ten Hag. However, despite this improved form, Parker remains unconvinced that Maguire meets the standard to play for the club.
“We have to say that Harry Maguire has done himself justice recently but the people who are now screaming for him to play regularly are wrong.”
“Harry Maguire needs to play for a team who sits deep and Man United are actually doing that at the moment, but they are aiming to defend with a high line and control the games. They will never be able to do that with Maguire in the team.”
“He plays well for England, even though he shouldn’t be a part of the squad, but he plays well because England sits deep. He played well for Leicester and Hull because they wanted to sit deep as well.”
Maguire is priced at 1/5 on Sky Bet to make Gareth Southgate’s England squad for next year’s European Championships.
United Won’t Win The League With Maguire Starting
Injuries to players such as Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have given Maguire a chance to step up, and he has seized this opportunity. Nonetheless, Parker is scathing in his assessment of the former club captain. He contends that Manchester United will not be competing to win the Premier League with Maguire in the lineup.
“He can’t play the way that Erik ten Hag wants him to, and maybe Man United are also struggling with controlling the games because they know his weaknesses, and with all these injuries he needs to play and they need to play to his strengths.
“Once Lisandro Martinez is fully fit, I see no chance for him being in the starting lineup. He knows it and the manager knows it.
“Let’s put it this way. Can he play a good game for Man United? Of course he can. Is he improving Man United at this moment in time? No, not really. The answer to that question is no. Can Man United win the Premier League with Maguire in the team? Of course not.”
Casemiro Regret Rumours
Rumours have been swirling about Casemiro potentially regretting his transfer to Manchester United. The ex-Real Madrid midfielder has found it challenging to mirror the form he displayed last season, which endeared him to the Old Trafford faithful. Recent whispers suggest he might be regretting his decision to join United. However, Parker doesn’t buy into any of this speculation, not even an iota.
“Listen, during the international break, people get bored and the media needs something to write about.
“No one wants to watch England play and it’s the same all around Europe. International football is only interesting in South America but in England it’s all about sponsorships and selling fizzy drinks.
“The international break is the worst eight or nine days of people’s life every time it happens.
Parker points to the lack of rumours last season when Casemiro enjoyed a fine debut season at United as evidence of the talk being just rumours.
“Speaking of the story about Casemiro regretting his move to Man United, things could have been taken out of context. I think that’s a possibility.
“But he is a human being and I don’t blame him for saying to someone that it’s not going too well at Man United and he is maybe missing Madrid a bit. As a footballer that’s perfectly normal.
“We have to remember that these stories didn’t run last year when things were going great, which makes sense. It’s human to regret things in moments but then you get back to the club and notice that you actually enjoy being there.
“Do I believe that this story is true and he did regret his move to Man United? No, not wholeheartedly to be honest.”
