Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has suggested that interim manager Ralf Rangnick should drop Harry Maguire and offer somebody else the chance to prove their worth.
The United captain, who joined the club from Leicester City in August 2019, has struggled for form and consistency this season and has constantly been criticised by large portions of the Reds' supporters. He has been guilty of making a plethora of mistakes and calls have been made for him to be stripped of the armband.
Considering United signed Raphael Varane last summer to partner Maguire in the hope that the duo would build-up a successful on-field partnership to give the club a strong defensive unit at centre-back, Maguire has struggled throughout the season. Admittedly, he has looked better with Varane alongside him, but that has not been often enough.
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With his performances continuing to raise justifiable questions, Berbatov believes Rangnick should step in and take the England defender out of the firing line. However, he has also admitted that Maguire will know that he can do better.
"I played with some great leaders at United, such as Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney, and when things are not going well for the team the finger is always pointed at the captain," Berbatov told Betfair.
"Harry Maguire can perform better. He knows that.
"The mistakes he is making are damaging his ability to lead the team. He needs to correct his positioning and work on his decision-making.
"It's not easy, when you are under pressure, but I have been there and that is the nature of playing for a top club. It is part of being a professional. You need to deal with it.
"Ralf Rangnick can step in here. Maybe he needs to give Maguire a rest and give somebody else a chance."
Rangnick, unlike former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has not been afraid to axe players from his starting line-up if they are not performing to the standard expected. During his time in charge, several players have been cut from the starting XI, including Maguire, who was left on the bench for the draws with Aston Villa and Watford in recent weeks.
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