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How Harry Maguire will solve one ‘problem’ Manchester United had last season
HARRY MAGUIRE’s ability to play out from the back will solve a problem Manchester United had last season.
That is the opinion of former Fulham striker and ESPN FC pundit Brian McBride.
Maguire is heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, with discussions over a move understood to be ongoing.
The England centre-back is keen on a switch to Old Trafford and is said to have made his feelings clear to Leicester City.
However, Leicester are holding out for a world-record transfer fee for a defender of £80million.
Too much last year Manchester United looked like they were going to give the ball away in a bad area
McBride is a fan of Maguire and says his stature will straight away add something different to the United defence.
But he says the 26-year-old’s ability to play out from the back is what makes him an even more attractive proposition for the Red Devils.
“You look at him as a player and he’s got a presence defensively,” McBride said.
“First and foremost that is the most important thing [for a defender].
“But he has the ability to play out of the back.
“Too much last year Manchester United looked like they were going to give the ball away in a bad area when put under pressure.
“That helps solve that problem.”
Meanwhile, former Liverpool full-back Steve Nicol says United need more than Maguire to make the Premier League top four this season.
“He will help them towards [the top four] - they need an awful lot more than just one centre-back,” Nicol said.
“But he will definitely, defensively, make a difference.
“The guy leads, there’s no question, the guy’s reliable, you know what you’re getting.
“He’s a proven commodity in the Premier League and he’d be a great signing.
“But they need way more than Harry Maguire.”