Some of sadler's stats he uses to back up his arguments are suspect to say the least but he's right in one regard, but possibly not for the reason he thinks.
It's true that we look a worse team when Maguire doesn't play. This was massively true at the end of last season as well as in Jan. But it's also true that Maguire has been largely poor when he does play. How can both be true?
Simply, he's a different defender to Varane and Lindelof. Maguire is the man who has to dominate the box aerially, go out to make the decisive tackles. Varane and Lindelof are the guys who hold their position, mop up loose balls, push runners into less dangerous positions and nip in when they have the chance. For comparison (and yes I know there's a gulf in standard but I'm talking about types of player), Maguire is your Vidic/Terry and Lindelof/Varane are your Ferdinand/Carvalho.
So while Lindelof and Varane are having decent seasons and Maguire isn't, playing both doesn't really work because neither is comfortable playing Maguire's role and dominating the box aerially. Hence even though he's gash, Maguire has to play unless Jones becomes an option there.
I once heard a commentator say that he thought Lindelof would be a top defender alongside Van Dijk or Dias - I'd agree with this. He's positionally good, he's excellent on the ball, he never gets dribbled past and he pushes attackers away from the dangerous areas. I'm more than happy with him at united especially as a squad player but even as a starter.
The problem is Maguire ATM. Also, unfortunately, the problem is we've nobody to replace Maguire.
It's true that we look a worse team when Maguire doesn't play. This was massively true at the end of last season as well as in Jan. But it's also true that Maguire has been largely poor when he does play. How can both be true?
Simply, he's a different defender to Varane and Lindelof. Maguire is the man who has to dominate the box aerially, go out to make the decisive tackles. Varane and Lindelof are the guys who hold their position, mop up loose balls, push runners into less dangerous positions and nip in when they have the chance. For comparison (and yes I know there's a gulf in standard but I'm talking about types of player), Maguire is your Vidic/Terry and Lindelof/Varane are your Ferdinand/Carvalho.
So while Lindelof and Varane are having decent seasons and Maguire isn't, playing both doesn't really work because neither is comfortable playing Maguire's role and dominating the box aerially. Hence even though he's gash, Maguire has to play unless Jones becomes an option there.
I once heard a commentator say that he thought Lindelof would be a top defender alongside Van Dijk or Dias - I'd agree with this. He's positionally good, he's excellent on the ball, he never gets dribbled past and he pushes attackers away from the dangerous areas. I'm more than happy with him at united especially as a squad player but even as a starter.
The problem is Maguire ATM. Also, unfortunately, the problem is we've nobody to replace Maguire.
#weak #bullied