Paul Merson's Two-Minute Rant About Harry Maguire When He First Joined Man Utd Is Going Viral Again

Paul Merson's scathing comments about Harry Maguire when he first joined Manchester United in a record £80 million deal are going viral again following his performance against Manchester City.

The 29-year-old centre-back, who has been criticised for a number of underwhelming performances for United this season, struggled in large spells against Pep Guardiola's side on Sunday afternoon.

Kevin de Bruyne slotted through Maguire's legs to put City ahead after just four minutes and well, it didn't get much better for the England international as the game went on.

Maguire. Just does a dummy to let the ball go back into the danger area instead of tapping it away. Painful defending by both centre backs. https://t.co/iRm9IXVeN1

— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) March 6, 2022

Deflection off Harry Maguire is fitting given how much he has assisted Manchester City's performance.

— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) March 6, 2022

Maguire's performances this season have been, by his own standards, poor.

And during United's recent 4-1 defeat in the Manchester derby, a two-minute clip of Sky pundit Merson giving his immediate thoughts on United's decision to splash £80 million on his signature was doing the rounds on Twitter.

You can see the clip below.

I still can’t believe Sky made him apologise for this, he’s never been more right. pic.twitter.com/x9AAEASzgu

— JW 🇳🇬 (@JoshWoogsOF) March 6, 2022

Merson said on Gillette Soccer Saturday in 2019: "Maguire for £80 million is ridiculous at the highest level.

"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 later apologised for his "disrespectful" comments.

"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.

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

Thoughts on Maguire's performances of late?

Let us know in the comments.