Premier League legend Wayne Rooney was left scratching his head after Ruben Amorim’s decision involving one important Manchester United player against Manchester City on Sunday.
The 39-year-old Manchester United legend made his feelings clear on the aforementioned Red Devils star by calling him a “leader” for Ruben Amorim’s side.
United lost 3-0 to Manchester City at the Etihad and Amorim’s men have tumbled down the Premier League table after the first Manchester derby of the season.
The Red Devils are now 14th in the Premier League table after the result on the weekend, while City have climbed to eighth place thanks to their comfortable win.
Amorim watched his side chase the Premier League match on Sunday, with Phil Foden planting a sublime header in the back of the United net in the first half.
Wayne Rooney’s powerful position on Harry Maguire after Man Utd’s Manchester derby defeat to Man City at the Etihad
Following Phil Foden’s first-half opener at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s men built on their advantage over the Red Devils in the second half through Erling Haaland.
Erling Haaland netted a stunning brace after the break and Manchester City defeated Manchester United 3-0 in their Premier League contest on Sunday afternoon.
Harry Maguire was on the bench before United manager Ruben Amorim withdrew Leny Yoro in the second half when the Red Devils were 2-0 down against City.
Speaking after the Manchester derby, Wayne Rooney was deeply puzzled at how Harry Maguire was not starting for United and talked up the defender’s skills.
“He brought Maguire on a bit early, though,” he said on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show.
“I was hoping he went up front. When he came on. He didn’t!”
The former England and United striker added: “Well, Harry should be starting. I [have] seen Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink talking about it and saying how much England missed Harry Maguire at the Euros [Euro 2024] because he’s a leader.”
Wayne Rooney makes a clear-cut Harry Maguire point after Man Utd’s Premier League display against Man City at the Etihad
Amorim started the United match with Matthijs de Ligt as his central defender, with Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw on either side of the Dutchman in the three-man backline.
Harry Maguire has had a career resurgence at Old Trafford and United triggered the 32-year-old England international’s contract extension at the club back in January.
Rooney believes that the City match showed a ‘lack of leadership’ in the United backline and he felt that Maguire should have started at the Etihad on Sunday.
The United and England icon continued: “He [Maguire]… and I’m sitting there and thinking, ‘How is he not playing with the three defenders we were playing [against Man City]?’
“He should be in there and there’s a lack of leadership. It’s clear to [me].”
Maguire, who has played four times this season, has entered the final 12 months of his United deal and the Three Lions defender will be out of contract next summer.
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