Is it time for Man Utd to bring back Harry Maguire? Stats show how he compares to Martinez and Lindelof
MANCHESTER UNITED are in need of solidifying their defense after conceding more goals in the Premier League.
The Red Devils let three goals past them during their 3-1 home defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.
This means that Man United have conceded 10 goals already this season despite only playing five Premier League games.
Manager Erik ten Hag had opted for a defensive partnership of Lisandro Martinez, 25, and Victor Lindelof, 29, against the Seagulls.
However, it saw the game ending in the same way as the previous result against Arsenal, another 3-1 defeat.
Defender Harry Maguire, 30, started both games on the bench but did make an appearance off the bench against the Gunners.
Martinez was criticised for his performance by club legend Peter Schmeichel, who claimed the Argentine was “trying to be a hero” during the match.
Ten Hag even admitted that the team’s defence needs to improve going forward.
After the game, he said: “We have to improve, there are things for the team and the individuals, who have to step up.
“Sometimes, in those difficult periods, where we are now, you have to face that and you have to deal with that.
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“In this moment, we don’t deal well with it but we showed that least year, the resilience and determination, also in defence, as you say.”
Martinez and Lindelof have been preferred to Maguire this season with the pair enjoy much more time on the pitch.
However, their season-opening performances are not as dominant over the former club captain as their play time would suggest.
Compared to Maguire’s per 90 minute stats from last season, the England international should be considered for a return to the team.
Opta have provided SunSport with the statistics that suggest that Maguire has made many more interceptions than his competition.
The Englishman has completed 1.5 per 90 minutes compared to Martinez’s 0.5 and Lindelof’s 0.3.
Maguire is also just as effective with his passing as he successfully completed 58 passes on average which is the same as Martinez and better than Lindelof’s record.
Maguire only came second in one category which was tackles per 90.
Martinez put up the best numbers as he made 1.7 compared to Maguire’s 0.9 and Lindelof’s 0.3.
He did however win the main category of clean sheet as he kept one clean sheet compared to the other two who have failed to register any in their first appearances of the season.
The duo did play in the 1-0 win over Wolves Opta only counts a clean sheet should a player feature for the whole 90 minutes.
Man United return to action on Wednesday as they take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League at the Allianz Arena.
The leaky backline will be up against a prolific frontline of Harry Kane, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry.
The team has already netted 11 goals in the Bundesliga this season with the former Tottenham star grabbing four.
Maguire is used to facing Kane from England duty and the striker’s Premier League past.
It could be a good opportunity for the defender to come back in the side and prove that he can still be a top player.
Ex-England striker Gabby Agbonlahor feels Maguire is being harshly dealt with at club level.
He told talkSPORT: “Let’s see the same energy for Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof.
“Martinez for the [Pascal] Gross goal, he has tried to make a block, he’s got fake-shot by Gross and he’s scored in the back of the net.
“If that was Harry Maguire, you would not hear the end of it – ‘he’s terrible, get him out the side’.
“Maguire must be looking around that changing room now thinking, ‘how am I not getting a chance in this team?’ Maguire deserves to be in that team.
“Let’s see that same energy for Martinez at the back, for Casemiro, who can’t get around the pitch, not just pick on Maguire.”
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