Nemanja Vidic believes Harry Maguire’s inconsistent form means he is struggling to command the respect of the Manchester United dressing room.
Maguire hung onto the club captaincy when Erik ten Hag was appointed, despite many believing he should have lost the armband. But rather than rock the boat entirely, the incoming boss stuck with the skipper appointed back in 2020.
However, during the Dutchman's first season in charge, it has become clear that the England international isn’t in his plans and has gradually slipped down the pecking order. When all of United’s defensive options are fit, Maguire is no longer a starter with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez preferred.
Bruno Fernandes has assumed the role of captain whilst Maguire is on the bench and Ten Hag is facing an impending decision over the long-term occupant of the role. The former Leicester City defender’s slump at Old Trafford hasn’t helped his case either, with all signs pointing towards him being moved on at the end of the season.
But with injuries to Martinez and Varane, Maguire is likely to be in Ten Hag’s starting XI for the Premier League run-in, and with that the responsibility of captaincy will return. Vidic, who skippered United under Sir Alex Ferguson knows all too well about the task of leading the Red Devils and has spotted his successor’s biggest issue.
During an appearance on ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand ’s FIVE YouTube channel, the Premier League icon suggested that Maguire’s individual struggles would likely contribute to some of his colleagues turning a blind eye to some of his demands.
“Maguire has a problem because he doesn’t perform well. When you don’t perform well it’s difficult to say to someone what to do,” Vidic explained.
“I think that Maguire is doing well for the national team, he was great for Leicester. But obviously, he’s struggling to perform for Manchester United the way he’s performing for other clubs.
“It’s difficult to gain that type of respect, it’s nothing against Maguire now. In general, any captain has to be first, has to show an example, has to play well and has to fight for the club and then everybody else will do it.”
The five-time league winner was significantly more complimentary of the man who has replaced Maguire in the United line-up however. Vidic agreed that Martinez, signed from Ajax in the summer, displays some of the same traits that helped him become a legend at the club.
On the Mexican, Vidic added: “I like him actually, the first thing I saw is that he likes to defend. I had doubts when he came because of his height, but he’s good in the air. He knows how to position himself. I think he’s a good character and good in the dressing room. He has that mentality, he is a fighter.”
That’s where the compliments ended though, with the serial winner refusing to pick out his old side’s best player since he departed, thanks to a lack of honours. “When you don’t win trophies, it’s difficult to say someone is great! I was lucky to play in my era, play with players I did, win trophies and then you get the rewards.”
