‘That’s a problem’ – Chelsea legend lays into ‘confused’ Harry Maguire and blames defender for Man Utd’s struggles

JOHN OBI MIKEL has launched a blistering attack on Harry Maguire – and claimed he needs to be frozen out at Manchester United. The Red Devils got their season off to an embarrassing start as they suffered a defeat to newly-promoted Hull City. Harry Maguire has come under fire Credit: Getty John Obi Mikel launched a brutal attack Credit: Getty Maguire, 33, was blasted by United icon Paul Scholes after allowing Semi Ajayi to give the Tigers an early lead. And Chelsea legend Mikel has sensationally blamed the defender for United’s struggles. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, he said: “When your top centre-back is Harry Maguire, you have a problem. “Harry Maguire was never a Manchester United player, never suited the system or the football club. “The fact that he has managed to stay there for seven, eight seasons is incredible. “How has that happened? I don’t understand that, and he’s still there, and he’s the number one defender. That’s a problem.” Maguire was given permission to make his own way home after the shock loss to Hull. And the one-time Carabao Cup winner will be desperate to keep his place in the starting line-up when United host Ipswich on Sunday. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS But Mikel, 39, reckons Maguire needs to be dropped if the Red Devils want to have a season to remember. The former midfielder added: “The first goal [against Hull], he was grabbing his own player and stopping him from going to defend the guy who was scoring. What was he doing? I have no idea. “They have Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro. They have players there. But I don’t know why he is still starting. “Is he good to be a squad player because of his experience? Yes. But not to start games, not to be your number one centre-back. “He’s slow on the ball. He touches it three or four times before releasing it. He doesn’t know what to do with the ball, he’s confused when he has the ball. “A centre-back needs to move the ball quicker, but Maguire doesn’t know how to do that quickly enough and get the team to play at the right tempo.” Comment now