Carrick's Manchester United started the season in the worst possible way, with a 2-0 defeat away to Hull City. A match that the "Red Devils" failed to recover in the second half, after an absolutely forgettable first 45 minutes. Especially for what happened with the goal scored by Semi Ajayi. During the Hull action, which started from a corner kick, Ajayi managed to escape the marking of Maguire, who, at the same time, prevented Mazraoui from clearing the ball.
Yes, Maguire was completely distracted during the action, focusing on watching and hoping that the ball did not end up in the net, instead of allowing his teammates to intervene to avoid the goal. The footage shows Maguire literally marking his teammate, confusing him with an opponent. In this way, the defender remains blocked and unable to intervene against Ajayi. The video immediately went viral and reopened once again the debate about the footballer, who has become a kind of living "meme".
Ok... So as I was saying, we desperately need new CB's more than anything.
by u/OutsideImpressive115 in Manchester United
Maguire is no stranger to these kinds of blunders, sometimes quite sensational, which have angered Hull City fans over the years. After failing to impress at the World Cup, many expected him to leave, but Maguire was once again more than disappointing on the pitch, even incapable of leading the young teammates he had on his side. Defense is absolutely Manchester United's weak point and, despite the Maguire issue, it seems the club must intervene again in the transfer market to bring in another center-back, so as not to risk another disappointing season.
Ayden Edford Heaven, the 19-year-old defender who played alongside him in defence, also came under fire for failing to contain the opposition's attacks. Maguire, with his experience, should have led the way and motivated the others, but despite a quiet summer without having to play at the World Cup, he seems to have returned to the pitch with the many insecurities that have accompanied him in recent years. For Paolo Di Canio, present in the Sky Sports studios to commentate on the match, it is a "shameful attitude".
The reasons that have made Maguire the most attacked player at United
But why is Maguire so much in the spotlight? Part of United since 2019, the player, especially in the first seasons, has experienced negative moments, with questionable defensive interventions and behavior that has been at least embarrassing. Recently, the player has also been sentenced to 15 months for a fight that occurred in 2020 in Greece. For some, it is a footballer who, at the age of 33, seems overvalued in relation to the amount paid 7 years ago to transfer him from Leicester for 80 million euros.
The impression is that today Carrick has put a lot of trust in Maguire, having built a new United. But it seems clear that, despite the player's technical skills, Maguire appears mentally distracted and clearly not in line with the team and the coach's instructions. It is not excluded that over time an intervention in the transfer market will be evaluated to reinforce the defense and eventually replace him.
