Barnes feels Maguire is ‘right’ captain and identifies big Man Utd issue

Joe Williams
Man Utd duo Harry Maguire and David de Gea

John Barnes thinks Harry Maguire is still the “right man” to captain Man Utd and doesn’t “blame him” for recent poor performances.

The Red Devils centre-back has faced a lot of criticism recently with the club going through a poor run of form which eventually saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked on Sunday.

Former Man Utd midfielder Roy Keane was particularly scathing recently, calling Maguire a “disgrace” following his recent performances.


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But Barnes thinks the criticism of United’s defence has been a bit harsh with the rest of the team affording them little protection.

Barnes told BonusCodeBets: “Harry Maguire is absolutely the right man to be Manchester United captain. He’s playing in a back four that aren’t being protected. If Liverpool’s front three didn’t work as hard off the ball, the back four would also struggle.

“It’s not about any individual defender because Harry Maguire is a good defender, as are Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw. But the problem is, they’re just being left to defend when the rest of the team doesn’t apart from Fred and Scott McTominay who also need more hard done work in front of them.

“So, I don’t criticise Maguire at all because he’s a good defender for Manchester United and England but the way the team is playing, he’s being left to defend on his own which he can’t do so I don’t blame him at all.”

Meanwhile, Gary Neville claimed earlier this month that the Man Utd skipper is ‘burnt out’ after playing for England at Euro 2020.

Former Man Utd right-back Neville said:“Harry Maguire is an emerging leader but is not there yet. I thought he was getting the United dressing room in the palm of his hand at the end of last season. Then he went to the European Championships injured and had the most incredible experience.

“What is happening now is that Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are experiencing post-Euros syndrome and burn out. I know because I have had it.

“At the start of the 1998-1999 season, two games in, I was playing at West Ham and Kiddo [Brian Kidd] came over to me and said: ‘You are f****d aren’t you?’. I was like: ‘Kiddo I am done’. They subbed me then gave me two weeks off.

“I had played Umbro Cup ’95, Euro ’96, Le Tournoi ’97 and then World Cup ’98 and at the start of that next season I blew up.

“Harry Maguire is the future of the club along with some others so I have no doubts about him. He is just going through a two or three year mad period like I did. It emotionally drains you. Only three weeks off every summer.

“When he puts his hands to his ears I get it. I once went over to Liverpool fans and gave them loads.

“I once played Vasco da Gama and gave two pass backs away in three minutes, played Edmundo and Romario in, and lost us a World Club Championship and lost my confidence for six months and ended up seeing a psychologist. So I have been where Harry Maguire may be today.

“So when he puts his hands to his ears all I would want to know most is whether he regretted doing it after the game or whether he is good with it. And if he was good with it then I am good with it.”