For the costly figure of £80 million, Harry Maguire is shaping up as a colossal waste of money for Manchester United.
This season Maguire has regressed as a defender, putting in one of his worst performances of the campaign in the draw with Burnley.
But whatever your opinion on Maguire as a defender, he has has some good moments too. His performance the previous league game against West Ham was one of his better games.
The one point which cannot be disputed, is that Maguire is an inadequate captain.
Just listening to Maguire in pre and post match interviews can lull you to sleep. He is totally uninspiring and not the leader this team requires.
United fans have been spoiled through the years, with fantastic leaders wearing the armband, the likes of Bryan Robson and Roy Keane.
To compare Maguire to either would be an embarrassment. A banner of both former captains plus Eric Cantona is carried in the Stretford End, accompanied by the word ‘Standards’.
The implication is clear. United have let standards drop by allowing Maguire to captain the club in 2022.
You need only look what happened against Middlesbrough and Burnley for evidence United need a real leader inspiring the team. As soon as the team conceded an equaliser, the game plan folded, and nobody could take responsibility to step up.
United should have shown a response to the Boro game. Instead supporters were churned up more of the same.
United need change
When looking at how to change Manchester United’s fortunes, it is easy to be wary of a move for West Ham’s Declan Rice.
The speculated fee would cost in the £100 million range, and it has the hallmarks of the Maguire deal: An over inflated fee for an English talent, when cheaper more cost effective deals are available.
Spending the same money on the duo of Youri Tielemans and Aurelien Tchouameni would be smarter, for instance, but Rice does give you something extra.
Rice is a leader, a player with personality, one capable of filling the void Maguire is currently unable to fill. You need only look at the way he grabbed West Ham’s FA Cup tie at the weekend and forced extra time with an excellent individual goal, for illustration of his determination, sheer will to win, and ability to take responsibility.
Rice would not even need the armband either. Giving it too early would be a mistake. Just having him in the team would be enough. Off the pitch Rice conveys far more personality than Maguire, and would likely be a more galvanising influence in the dressing room.
United probably need to upgrade Maguire in defence this summer, but it’s far more important he is replaced as the team’s leader.
Rice is capable of doing so, while solving United’s long standing defensive midfield problem. It would be a lot of money, but all things considered, United would be a stronger team with him in it.
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