Gary Lineker explains how Man Utd set Harry Maguire up for failure

The England international is pushing to regain his place in United’s lineup.

Harry Maguire’s massive transfer fee to Manchester United “worked against him”, according to Gary Lineker.

Maguire joined the Red Devils on an £80m deal from Leicester City in 2019 but has struggled to live up to expectations at Old Trafford. After losing his place in United’s lineup under Erik ten Hag, Maguire came close to joining West Ham last summer.

However, the deal collapsed, and Maguire continued his fight to reclaim a place in Man Utd’s starting XI. Following a host of impressive displays, the experienced centre-back scored United’s match-winner in their narrow win over Copenhagen on Tuesday.

“It’s kind of been an up and down time for him really,” Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast. “He’s always done well with England – I think he’s underrated; I have done for a long time.

“The reason for that was the ridiculous price tag that Manchester United paid. That’s not his fault, so if you’re paying that and you’re getting a centre-back, I think that counts against him a little bit.

“Yes, he can get caught on the turn and by the very quickest, but I mean he’s a really good player on the ball. He will knock forward passes, he’ll keep it, he’s very calm and he’s very good in both boxes.”