Graeme Souness: Man Utd’s defensive failures are not all down to Harry Maguire

'I see them as bang average in midfield, it's very easy to point the finger at Harry Maguire'

Grame Souness has defended Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire and insisted that the club's defensive struggles are not all down to the Englishman. The United captain has come under criticism this season for several underwhelming performances, with the 29-year-old making a number of high-profile mistakes as part of an underperforming defence. Despite this, Maguire has been an integral part of Gareth Southgate's England squad and impressed throughout the Three Lions' run to the Euro 2020 final last summer.

Souness says it's 'very easy' to blame Maguire

Maguire often takes a lot of the flack when the Red Devils face criticism, however, former Liverpool man Souness believes that he isn't the only one to blame. Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool's clash against United, Souness said: "I see them as bang average in midfield, I think it's very easy to point the finger at Harry Maguire and whoever his partner is and say 'they're not doing their job'. "They need help, they need someone in front of them so they're not being exposed all the time. "Manchester United have enough going forward to have a midfield that is a little bit more solid, like Liverpool's, and let the really creative ones and the goalscorers get on and do their job. "United's ills are not all down to Harry Maguire and whoever his partner is." https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1516481368104091649

Roy Keane says Man United are 'easy to play against'

Red Devils legend Roy Keane added: "The word Graeme used there when you haven't got the ball is intensity, Man United don't have it. They're not actually that brilliant in possession. So when they haven't got the ball, they're not great. "They're easy to play against and this season, every team that has played against Man United has created a load of opportunities, not always took them but the better teams have and that's where they've been punished in the big games." Interim boss Ralf Rangnick opted to start with a back five against Jurgen Klopp's side, with centre-back Phil Jones making his first Premier League appearance since January 3. Related links:

• Rio Ferdinand compares Harry Maguire’s situation to Gerard Pique’s
• Nemanja Vidić tells Harry Maguire to ask Rangnick for time out of the team
• Alphonso Davies questions why Harry Maguire is captain over Cristiano Ronaldo