Ferdinand Leaps To Maguire's Defence Amid Intense Criticism
Rio Ferdinand has leapt to the defence of Harry Maguire, who has come in for criticism after some underwhelming performances for Manchester United.
Maguire joined Manchester United for a world record fee for a defender from Leicester City in the summer of 2019 but he has not lived up to his hefty price tag.
The 29-year-old was again at the wrong end of things at the weekend when Anthony Gordon's strike deflected off him for the only goal in Everton's 1-0 win over Manchester United.
Maguire has however impressed whenever he plays for England, helping them reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Russia and the final of EURO 2020, losing to Italy.
Ferdinand has blamed Maguire's struggles at club level on contrasting styles of play with the national team and has compared him with Gerard Pique, who did not make the grade at Old Trafford but went on to become a world beater with Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
"In an England shirt he’s been nothing but phenomenal," Ferdinand said on YouTube show Vibe with FIVE. "He’s been unreal. You can’t say he’s a dead player, he’s been unbelievable for England.
"Gerard Pique was at Man United, you could argue that he might not have had the career that he’s had at Barcelona if he stayed at Man United because of the way he plays," he added.
"It’s like boxing, styles make fights – it’s the same in football. The way of Man United’s football, and the way that they are trying to play, hasn’t suited him.
"But [there is] also form and confidence. His confidence has taken a big knock.
"I don’t care who you are. You could be Messi, Ronaldo, Zidane, Mbappe all these players – if their confidence is low they are not the same player."
"What I’m saying is, for England he’s been great, but they play a particular way of football that probably suits him."
