Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic believes that Harry Maguire would benefit from being taken out of the limelight and not playing every game.
United’s Champions League hopes took another hammer blow with a 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park yesterday, against an Everton side that looked to be in freefall.
With the Toffees scrapping for their lives, a clash against a flaky, vulnerable and toothless Manchester United side proved to be the best possible matchup for Frank Lampard’s men.
Anthony Gordon netted the winner in the first half after his shot on the edge of the box flew passed David de Gea via a big deflection from Maguire.
It’s been a torrid season for United’s captain and that was the latest setback in what has been a difficult campaign for the former Leicester City man.
In an interview with the Athletic, Vidic was asked how the England international can overcome the toughest period of his career.
The 40-year-old said: “Every player has a problem with form at some time in his career,” he says.
“I did and it’s clear that Maguire is not at his best this season. I think you can do a few things and one of them is not to play every match as you try to find form again and get confidence.
“A coach could play him in easier games, not that there are many in the Premier League, and take him out for harder matches.
“The player needs to feel powerful and strong on the pitch again, not as it is now where he feels that it’s not happening for him.
“It’s difficult to play well when you’re under so much pressure because people are waiting for you to make a mistake.”
Vidic won five Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League alongside Rio Ferdinand at the heart of United’s defence.
It was hoped that the signing of World Cup winner and four-time Champions League victor Raphael Varane, to partner Maguire, would enable United to have their best centre-back partnership, since the legendary pair departed Old Trafford eight years ago.
But that hasn’t materialised and United’s defence remains vulnerable and shaky.
The Serbian, who was a towering aggressive defender who relished the physical battle, endured some “horrible games” at United and he believes Maguire may have to follow in his footsteps in order to regroup.
Nemanja added: “It’s not a problem if a player says to his coach that he’s not feeling great on the pitch. If he says: ‘Give me a break, give me a couple of weeks to regroup and train well and then play again’.
“I had some horrible games for United and needed to find my peace and grow again.”
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