Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic has suggested the club should consider taking Harry Maguire out of the lineup amid his poor run of form.
Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has told the Red Devils to drop current skipper Harry Maguire from the lineup to help him rediscover his form.
Maguire has endured a torrid 2021/22 campaign so far for Manchester United, making calamitous errors at the back that have cost the team on many occasions. It has led to question marks, not just over his place in the side but also his captaincy and his future at Old Trafford beyond the ongoing campaign.
However, the Manchester United captain continues to be a constant presence in the starting XI, with interim manager Ralf Rangnick continuing to back him. But Vidic, who captained the Red Devils for several seasons and achieved great success at the club, has now opined on the situation, insisting that taking Maguire out of the firing line might help him get back to his best.
“Every player has a problem with form at some time in his career. 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,” he said.
“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.”
Citing his own example, Vidic added, “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.”
Maguire joined Manchester United in the summer of 2019 in a deal worth £80 million – a world-record fee for a defender. The Englisg international was handed the club captaincy in his debut season itself. But he has struggled this season and has failed to inspire confidence as the Red Devils’ top-four challenge continues to crumble under intense pressure.
Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic has suggested the club should consider taking Harry Maguire out of the lineup amid his poor run of form.
Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has told the Red Devils to drop current skipper Harry Maguire from the lineup to help him rediscover his form.
Maguire has endured a torrid 2021/22 campaign so far for Manchester United, making calamitous errors at the back that have cost the team on many occasions. It has led to question marks, not just over his place in the side but also his captaincy and his future at Old Trafford beyond the ongoing campaign.
However, the Manchester United captain continues to be a constant presence in the starting XI, with interim manager Ralf Rangnick continuing to back him. But Vidic, who captained the Red Devils for several seasons and achieved great success at the club, has now opined on the situation, insisting that taking Maguire out of the firing line might help him get back to his best.
“Every player has a problem with form at some time in his career. 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,” he said.
“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.”
Citing his own example, Vidic added, “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.”
Maguire joined Manchester United in the summer of 2019 in a deal worth £80 million – a world-record fee for a defender. The Englisg international was handed the club captaincy in his debut season itself. But he has struggled this season and has failed to inspire confidence as the Red Devils’ top-four challenge continues to crumble under intense pressure.