Harry Maguire ‘hasn’t improved weaknesses from Hull’ at Man Utd as coach opens up
Erik ten Hag doesn’t fancy Harry Maguire for a reason
Harry Maguire deserves credit for how he has handled himself during his struggles at Manchester United, according to former Red Devils coach Mike Phelan. But Phelan has admitted that Maguire still possesses weaknesses present when they worked together at Hull City almost a decade ago.
The 30-year-old defender joined United in an £80million deal in 2019 when Phelan was serving as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assistant after returning to Old Trafford
Maguire enjoyed a strong start to life in M16 and was made club captain just one year into his stay.
But his United career has rapidly descended into mediocrity, and he now finds himself fourth in Erik ten Hag’s centre-back pecking order.
The United No 5 has grown increasingly error-prone, with his lack of pace a blatant problem in Ten Hag’s desired high line.
Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, and even Luke Shaw were preferred last season. Maguire was up for sale this summer but rejected a £30m move to West Ham United.
And despite praising Maguire’s ability, Phelan has revealed that the England defender’s unimproved weaknesses on show at Hull years ago are likely contributing to why he is out of favour under Ten Hag
He’s a good footballer. Yes, there are weaknesses in his game. But they were there in his days at Hull,” Phelan told Sky Sports.
Some say you should improve your weaknesses, but I’m a believer in keeping on playing to strengths. His ability on the ball, he can read the game, he can definitely score a goal, and he’s a good guy.
He’s one of the good guys in football. He plays for England and hopefully will do for a long time, and he turns up – he doesn’t shirk his responsibilities. So credit to Harry.”
Ten Hag indicated that Maguire was set for a restricted role this season by stripping him of the captaincy and handing the armband to Bruno Fernandes
But Phelan has hailed Maguire’s professionalism amid ever-increasing pressure on him to leave United and Gareth Southgate to take him out of the England frame.
He said: “The new manager comes in and wants to change captaincy; these things happen, and he knows that.
“It’s not nice at times when you don’t know the role you’re supposed to do. He’s kept himself available, extremely professional, fit.
“Yes, there has been talk about a move, it hasn’t happened. It might still happen. I know he will give everything for Manchester United until the moment he doesn’t have that shirt on.”
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