Manchester United captain Harry Maguire lacks the "nasty streak" required to stop any striker, says World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro.
Maguire has endured an indifferent season, struggling with form and fitness and coming under criticism for his United displays as the club's form nosedived, culminating in convincing defeats to both Liverpool and Manchester City.
During the current international break, Maguire scored in consecutive England games to become the Three Lions' all-time top-scoring centre-back, while being dismissed by United legend Roy Keane as "embarrassing."
Cannavaro remains impressed by Maguire, and England team-mate Luke Shaw, but feels the likes of Italy stalwart Giorgio Chiellini remains a step above.
"Stones and Maguire have shown interesting things in recent years. They can both play football, defend and fear no one," the former Ballon d'Or winner told The Sun.
"They are good individually and with the rest of the backline. They are points of reference for Manchester City and Man United — and undoubtedly the two best English defenders.
"When the going gets tough, they take responsibility and are not afraid of trying new things.
"But Chiellini still embodies the spirit of the Italian defender and that level of concentration needed to stop a striker in a difficult moment.
"Maguire and Stones play a totally different type of football and may lack a nasty streak at times. Which Giorgio has."
