Simon Jordan has described Manchester United captain Harry Maguire as a pumped-up, mediocre centre-back.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, the former Crystal Palace owner believes that despite being the world’s most expensive defender, his transfer and subsequent key role at United was down to the low standards that prevailed at Old Trafford before Erik ten Hag’s arrival.
“He remains the world’s most expensive defender, but he took advantage of the landscape of mediocrity that existed at United before this fella (Ten Hag) came. Really, he is a pumped-up, decent, mid-ranking central defender,” writes Jordan.
Jordan continues by saying Maguire’s struggles this season have been largely down to the jump in standards at United, with Ten Hag now picking the team.
“For the first time in his career, Maguire has an elite manager determining his future. And for the first time in his career, he isn’t being picked,” he writes
However, Jordan feels that’s that despite being a ”mediocre” player, Maguire’s place in England’s first eleven is secure whilst Gareth Southgate remains at the helm.
“Harry Maguire, a mediocre centre-half who is being picked by a man who knows all about being a mediocre centre-half (Southgate) and will again be on England’s team sheet on Thursday night,” he added.
Despite Jordan’s opinions on Maguire as a player, he did reserve some praise for his determination and character to knuckle down and try and get back into Ten Hag’s side.
“While I don’t admire him completely as a player, he, at least, seems determined to try and change the narrative at his club and play his part,” writes Jordan.
Maguire is facing a battle to save his United career, with World Cup winners Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez forging an excellent partnership at the heart of Ten Hag’s defence.
The England man has found himself third, if not fourth choice centre-back at the club, with Luke Shaw being preferred to Maguire on occasions.
It’s believed Ten Hag is also in the market for a new central defender in the summer, which would almost certainly result in Maguire looking for pastures new.
Despite his poor form for United over the last 18 months, Maguire has rarely let his country down and will be desperate to put in a couple of good performances over the international break to play his way back into form for what promises to be an exciting end to the season at club level.
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