Harry Maguire could have become a scapegoat at Manchester United for two reasons, claims a pundit who still expects him to stay at Old Trafford.
Maguire endured a difficult 2021-22 season, as did most of his Manchester United teammates. The club captain was in the spotlight amid a string of disappointing displays. He was part of a United backline that leaked more goals than relegated Burnley.
Given United paid a world-record sum for a defender to sign Maguire from Leicester in 2019, he is someone they would have been expecting better from.
In turn, the club have been linked with a number of targets in his position ahead of Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge.
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It has led to two doubts for Maguire: whether he will retain his role as United’s captain, and whether he will even still be at the club by the end of the summer.
For pundit Paddy Kenny, the captaincy question cannot be answered. However, he feels Maguire should still fight for his place – and that all his teammates should be under similar scrutiny.
“Maguire has had fingers pointed at him but I think that should be every Man Utd player really,” Kenny told Football Insider.
“I feel like he has been scapegoated. Whether it is because he cost so much or because he is the captain.