Harry Maguire’s questionable form on the pitch has drawn plenty of criticisms from several quarters. Fingers are now also being pointed at Manchester United interim Ralf Rangnick who continues to select the centre-back in the starting XI despite several blunders and high-profile errors recently.
Maguire has endured a lean run of form for the majority of the season. He had a game to forget in the Manchester derby where The Red Devils suffered a nightmarish 4-1 defeat. Rangnick also started with Maguire in the crucial Champions League Round of 16 knockout tie with Atletico Madrid. Maguire partnered summer signing Raphael Varane while Victor Lindelof occupied a position on the bench.
For the second leg of the Round of 16, Rangnick made three changes from the side that defeated Tottenham 3-2 a few days ago. Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes replaced Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba while Anthony Elanga took Marcus Rashford’s place in attack.
However, United endured another forgettable night in front of their home crowd as Atletico beat the 0-1 to knock them out of the tournament.
Following the defeat, ex-United midfielder Scholes asked questions regarding Lindelof. The Swedish international has always performed well when called upon and starting an off-form Maguire over Lindelof might be a mistake from Rangnick.
“The manager has shown faith in him to keep playing him considering the form he’s been in. For me, the worry is what does this say about [Victor] Lindelof?
“When he’s played, Lindelof has done okay. Nice and steady, not many mistakes. It seems everything Harry is doing has turned into an absolute disaster,”
Scholes told BT Sport.
Another United legend Rio Ferdinand interjected and added that that Maguire will be given the chances to perform since he is the captain.
“I think Rangnick is giving him the chance to perform. He’s the captain of the football club. Captains at football clubs, in general, play. Harry himself will know he’s been struggling for form recently – and when it’s going against you, you tend to get punished for making mistakes time and time again.”
