Man United news: Pundit issues ‘massive’ Harry Maguire claim after what he’s spotted
Man United defender Harry Maguire is not confident in his own ability and it is effecting his captaincy, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 29-year-old’s leadership skills have “disappeared” with the defender “massively struggling” at present.
Maguire played a key role in Man United’s 4-1 derby day capitulation against Man City on Sunday (6 March), letting the ball run through his legs in the lead-up to Kevin De Bruyne’s second goal.
The 41-time England defender had just returned to the Red Devils eleven after being benched against Watford.
Whelan suggested Maguire’s mistakes are due to a lack of confidence.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “There are a lot of players – not just him – who aren’t doing enough.
“But these little silly mistakes – would you see that happening with other international players? Probably not.
“It’s a glaring mistake. He’s got to deal with the situation – instead, he’s letting it go through his legs like he’s in the middle of the field.
“You can’t do that in the Premier League, let alone against Man City. It’s making him look so bad.
“He’ll have watched it back on TV and asked: ‘What was I doing?’
“But when you’re under a lot of pressure, these mistakes mount up – especially when you’re not confident in your own ability.
“That leadership skill we saw when he came in has just disappeared. When he signed, he was chest out, big captain – that’s not there anymore and he’s massively struggling.”
Maguire, who is contracted until 2025, has made 29 appearances for Man United this term.
He made the move to Old Trafford from Leicester for a reported £80million in 2019.
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