Graeme Souness reckons Harry Maguire has three clear strengths as a defender but it's his pace that lets him down after Manchester United shipped in four goals against Liverpool.
Maguire has been the main man in the firing for the Red Devils in what has been a disastrous season from start to finish with his captaincy coming under threat.
Many feel the criticism is warranted given his well-documented individual errors but Souness believes it's come to the point where he has become a scapegoat for a club that has several issues on and off the field.
The former Liverpool defender believes he is a technically good footballer with a good aerial presence but concedes his lack of speed hurts him at times.
He said on Sky Sports as Liverpool claimed a 4-0 win over United: "He has got qualities, he is good on the ball and good in the air. He reads the game okay, he is not the quickest and it is very easy to look at Manchester United and put all the results down to your defending."
Roy Keane agrees that Maguire has had a poor season individually but isn't convinced he is playing for his career since the below-par form is so widespread throughout the team.
He said: "It has been a tough season for the team and Harry. I have said it many times, you are going to lose football matches this season, but United have not shown enough pride when losing. They have shown no fight and desire and if they lose the first goal tonight, you fear for them again. Is Harry (Maguire) playing for his career? But obviously, himself and the team have to do better and he knows that."
Keane insists United fans aren't even angry at Manchester United anymore, but there is now an overwhelming feeling of sadness at the situation the club find themselves in.
He added: "I think it was anger at the start of the season, now I just think it is sadness. You look at the team today, there was no heart, no soul, no leaders.
"They lacked quality, they were so far off. You look at the Manchester United fans, they don't look surprised by the scoreline. They kept going to the end but you felt as though Liverpool could score whenever they wanted when they went forward.
"There is disarray at this football club, from the top to the bottom. The fans have got no time for the owners. They want new owners, a new manager and new players.
"It’s so sad to see because it is not the club I played for. It is not what Manchester United stood for when I played for them, it is just chalk and cheese. I don’t see a Manchester United team out there fighting or playing with pride."
