Harry Maguire has made headlines once again this week, this time due to comments he made about his win percentage. While the Manchester United captain has been absent from the team, he could potentially start for England this weekend. Maguire mentioned that he might explore the possibility of a move away from United, with teams like West Ham expressing their interest in signing him.
However, during a discussion on ESPN FC’s YouTube channel, former Liverpool player Steve Nicol strongly criticized Maguire’s comments and his use of statistics to defend his performances.
Nicol expressed his frustration with the use of stats and stated, “What we just saw there is complete nonsense. That’s why we complain about stats. So because they win the game, you’ve been poor, but they win the game, that doesn’t mean you’re doing okay. Raya had a clean sheet against Man City, did he play well? No. Not one person said he played well. But on the stats, hallelujah, he played great.”
He continued, “Maguire, he’s in the same boat. Did he forget he scored an own goal against Scotland? But they won the game, that doesn’t count. He’s talking nonsense. Every time he’s stepped on the field recently, he’s made a mistake.”
The frustration surrounding Harry Maguire’s situation has been quite evident, and it’s understandable that he turned to statistics to defend his performances. He has faced criticism from various quarters, and Nicol’s comments represent the type of scrutiny and negativity that Maguire often encounters.
A move away from Manchester United might be the best course of action for Maguire at this point. He remains a top-level defender, and consistent playing time elsewhere could help him regain his form. While the particular statistic he mentioned might be seen as a stretch, it’s a way for him to respond to his critics and assert his position.