Paul Merson sends message to Man United signing Harry Maguire
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson gives his verdict on Man United signing Harry Maguire
Paul Merson has apologised to Manchester United defender Harry Maguire after the Sky Sports pundit questioned the centre-half’s price tag.
The Red Devils brought in Maguire in an £80m deal from Leicester City earlier this month following months of transfer speculation.
Maguire’s transfer fee surpassed the £75m fee that Liverpool FC spent on Virgil van Dijk in the 2018 January transfer window.
The world’s most expensive defender was questioned by Sky Sports pundit Merson ahead of Manchester United’s 4-0 victory over Chelsea FC in their Premier League opener last weekend.
Former Arsenal midfielder Merson has since revised his opinion of the Manchester United summer signing after his debut performance.
“He has a presence, he’s commanding, he doesn’t mess about. I thought he did very well,” Merson told Sky Sports’ The Debate.
“I thought I was very critical of him on Soccer Saturday if I’m being honest. I tried to get hold of him today (Monday) and I will talk to him tomorrow (Tuesday) as he texted me back.
“And I thought I was a bit critical if I’m being honest – I thought what I wanted to say did not really come across the way I thought it should have.
“I sort of did not really give him the credit he deserves of how good he is. I was brought up in the day and age where it was clear your lines – a Tony Adams or a John Terry, or someone like that.
“So I was a bit disrespectful in that way. He has played in World Cup semi-finals, he is an international and I was out of order and I will be the first to admit that.
“I thought he was steady. He’s comfortable on the ball, but he will have to defend as time goes on. If Chelsea were more clinical and they had better players up front they would have scored.
“He is a lot better than what they have got. You can look back and say they hit the post and had chances and David de Gea made a great save with his feet, but they still kept a clean sheet. Whoever keeps a clean sheet every week the other team always has a chance to score. He did well and he will get better.”
Manchester United started their summer spending with the signing of Swansea City winger Daniel James in a £17m deal in June.
The Red Devils spent £50m on Crystal Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka to bolster their options at full-back following Antonio Valencia’s departure.
Manchester United finished their summer spending spree with the £80m addition of Maguire.
The 20-time English champions are in second place in the Premier League table following their 4-0 victory over Chelsea FC.
Manchester United will make the trip to Wolves in their next Premier League fixture at The Molineux on Monday night.
Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho back in December.
