Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic discussed the form of Harry Maguire in a recent interview with The Athletic.
Vidic, alongside Rio Ferdinand, made up one of the most formidable centre-back pairings in the history of the Premier League.
However, Manchester United have experienced a rather large fall from grace since those days, with the centre-back spot a problem area for many years now.
In a bid to improve their backline, the Red Devils spent big on Harry Maguire. And whilst he has shown signs of quality whilst with United, the Englishman’s form for his club has been nothing short of atrocious of late.
As a result, Vidic was asked about Maguire’s recent efforts, and had the following to say:
“Every player has a problem with form at some time in his career,” he stated. “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. You’re asking me this and I’m replying as a coach.”
Vidic was then asked if he could give Maguire one piece of advice, what it would be, to which the Serbian responded:
“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.”
Harry Maguire’s latest blunder
Maguire’s latest blunder came on Saturday afternoon vs Everton.
The relegation-threatened side beat the Red Devils 1-0, effectively ending their already fading chances of securing a top-four berth.
And though it was not technically his fault, it was Harry Maguire whom Anthony Gordon’s winner took a major deflection off before finding its way into David de Gea’s net.
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