Paul Merson's Comments About Harry Maguire From Last Season Re-Emerge And They Are Spot On

Paul Merson's scathing criticism of Harry Maguire when he first joined Manchester United has re-emerged following the England international's poor run of form.

Maguire joined United from Leicester City for £80 million last summer and enjoyed a decent start to life at Old Trafford, being named captain after the departure of Ashley Young in January.

However, United have shipped 11 goals in their first three Premier League games this season and their defence has come under a lot of scrutiny.

Former Arsenal man Merson told Sky Sports last August that the transfer fee was extraordinary and "ridiculous at the highest level," which fans have started to agree with.

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"Maguire for £80 million is ridiculous at the highest level," he stated on Gillette Soccer Saturday back in August.

"You have to remember he ripped it up for England in a three. And when you play in a three at the back, you do that for one reason only - the defenders are not good enough and you do not trust them. He done well at England.

"But you have to remember when he plays for Leicester, they play, they drop back and defend on the edge of their box, there is no space behind. The ball comes in the middle, he heads it out, he comes out running with the ball.

"He kicks off now with Man Utd and you are on the halfway line and all of a sudden you are playing against Arsenal and you are on the halfway line and balls are going over the top for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and for Man City for Sergio Aguero and it is pace, pace, pace."

Merson did backtrack on his comments eventually, explaining: "I thought I was very critical of him on Soccer Saturday if I'm being honest. I tried to get hold of him today (Monday) and I will talk to him tomorrow (Tuesday) as he texted me back.

"And I thought I was a bit critical if I'm being honest - I thought what I wanted to say did not really come across the way I thought it should have.

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"I sort of did not really give him the credit he deserves of how good he is."

United fell to a 6-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon and Maguire made a number of errors at the back.

Do you think Harry Maguire has been a good signing for Manchester United?

Let us know in the comments below.

Topics: Harry Maguire, Football, Manchester United, Paul Merson, Man U, Man utd, Premier League, Sky Sports

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

@DanMarland_