Manchester United: Harry Maguire should be STRIPPED of captaincy, says Paul Parker

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to strip Harry Maguire of the Manchester United captaincy because he isn’t ‘a good fit’ and the decision to promote him ‘didn’t make any sense,’ claims former United title winner Paul Parker. 

Maguire was elevated to the role of captain following the departure of Ashley Young to Inter Milan back in January 2020. 

The £80million defender – a world record fee for his position – is an established international with England but for Parker, he doesn’t suit the profile required to captain a club as big as Manchester United.    

Harry Maguire (right) should have Manchester United captaincy taken off him, says Paul Parker

‘Manchester United gave Harry Maguire the captain’s armband too early,’ Parker said.

‘It surprised a lot of people, it didn’t make any sense and it hasn’t been a good fit from day one.

‘With captains, it isn’t about who has the biggest transfer fee or who’s the best player. There’s much more to it than that.

‘He isn’t the right player to be a captain of Manchester United at this moment in time and he has a lot in his game that needs rectifying.’

Maguire (right) has been United’s captain since Ashley Young left back in January 2020

Maguire drew criticism following the 5-0 humiliation at home to Liverpool in which he said he was ‘only here because I have to be’ in his post-match press conference. 

United’s form has been woeful this season and they go into the international break sat sixth in the Premier League.

Six defeats in their last 12 in all competitions has ramped up pressure on Solskjaer and his players with Parker among those questioning whether Maguire is repaying the club’s sizeable investment. 

United have already shipped 17 goals already in the league this season, only Leicester and Leeds (18) have conceded more in the top 15.   

Solskjaer’s defence against Man City on Saturday came in at a combined figure of close to £215m, raising question marks around the quality of Maguire and Co.

Parker, speaking to BonusCodeBets added: ‘The amount of money that Manchester United paid for Maguire was far too much.

Parker (left) feels the decision to make Maguire captain ‘didn’t make sense’ at the time

‘They wanted to buy him, made a big song and dance about the fee and then they followed through and actually paid it.

‘People say he had a great summer for England but his only real test was in the final against Italy, and he was found wanting against them positionally.’  

Parker is an outspoken critic of the former Leicester defender and doubled down during a recent podcast appearance.

Parker told the Talking Devils podcast: ‘I look at Harry Maguire. He just puts his hand up looking for offside. He’s there playing everyone on and looks to the assistant. He wants to blame other people.’