Harry Maguire's poor form at Manchester United, which has seen him at fault for three goals since the Premier League's return, has been described as a 'major concern' for the club.
The centre back arrived at Old Trafford from Leicester City for £80 million last season, breaking the previous world record for a defender set by Virgil van Dijk's 2018 move to Liverpool for £75 million.
His season had been going well enough but the return to action from Covid-19 has seen him make three high profile errors for goals in the games against Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth and Southampton.
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Now former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has warned that the centre back's form is becoming a 'major worry.'
"I think Lindelof is OK but for the money they paid for Harry Maguire, I tell you he is looking very cumbersome to me," he told ESPN FC after the England defender's part in Michael Obafemi's equaliser on Monday.
"If I was Solskjaer, that centre-half pairing would be a big concern for me. We know they're not the only team. We know City are looking for centre halves, we know Chelsea are, Arsenal are desperate for them.
"All these clubs are desperate for these defenders and Manchester United are another club that are in that scenario."
Whilst Paul Scholes blamed Victor Lindelof for Southampton's second goal, which dented United's chances of finishing in the top four, fans couldn't help but notice Maguire marking Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the corner.
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In the first game back of United's return to action, in the 1-1 draw against Spurs, the 27-year-old failed to deal with the pace of Steven Bergwijn, with the forward strolling past him.
And, in the 4-2 win over Bournemouth, the former Sheffield United defender was left embarrassed by Junior Stanislas for the Cherries' opener, as the winger nutmegged him in the box before slotting home.
United have been linked with a move for another high profile defender this summer, potentially Kalidou Koulibaly, to play alongside Maguire in the future.
Burley also went in on Solskjaer, claiming the team would have already guaranteed their place in the top four if they had a manager with 'tactical nous,' adding, "I think United are the favourites to get in it because of their remaining fixtures but if they'd have had a man in charge from the start of the season who in my opinion was up to the task properly they would probably have nailed it down already by now.
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"That's my point, if United fans can't take that and don't like it then tough. Continue the fact you'll be chasing the tail of Manchester City and Liverpool in the coming seasons."
Will United finish in the top four this season? Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Harry Maguire, Football News, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Southampton, Premier League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Kalidou Koulibaly
