Michael Owen fears Harry Maguire's lack of pace has become a "real problem" at Manchester United amid his performance against Southampton on Saturday.
The England international's form has been criticised by fans and pundits of late. On Tuesday night, he was at fault for Burnley's equaliser after allowing new signing Wout Weghorst to turn and assist Jay Rodriguez.
After the full-time whistle at Turf Moor, former United centre-back Rio Ferdinand assessed Maguire's involvement in the goal. "This touch [from Rodriguez] across Maguire takes him completely out of it," he told BT Sport.
Ferdinand added: "I don’t think Maguire is quick enough to have got there to affect that situation once it got beyond him.
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"It’s about stopping it at the source, once he has the big number nine, keep him facing [away from] the goal, he’s got the security of McTominay in front of him, he can deal with him a little bit, these are small mistakes leading to big moments."
Then, on Saturday afternoon, Maguire struggled to deal with the pace and physicality of Che Adams and Armando Broja against Southampton, who managed to grab a point at Old Trafford.
Michael Owen, who spent three years at Old Trafford, has since said that he "fears" for the former Leicester man.
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"I did fear for him and that was quite embarrassing," Owen told Premier League Productions while speaking about his role in the goal conceded against Southampton.
"He’s got no pace at the best of times but he was outwitted there (by Broja). Then you’re thinking don’t try to redeem your mistake, he just got away with it and I don’t think it was a penalty.
"But you are fearful when he’s running towards his man. You think are you going to try to do something stupid but he just gets away with it.
"His lack of pace is a real problem. We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again. The goal, he could have been squeezing up but he’s petrified of that space in behind."
Thoughts on Owen's assessment of Maguire?
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Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy/BT SportTopics: Manchester United, Harry Maguire, Premier League, Southampton, Michael Owen
