Ruben Amorim has a Man Utd selection dilemma. (Image: Getty)
Former defender Paul Parker has launched a scathing assessment of suitability for the system is attempting to instil. Maguire has made a positive impression in his first few months under Amorim, featuring in every Premier League game he’s been available for.
United triggered a 12-month extension in the 31-year-old’s contract late last year, opening the door for another season at Old Trafford.
However, Parker isn’t convinced that the Red Devils can reach the levels Amorim wants with Maguire at the heart of his back three.
The former full-back has highlighted the England international’s lack of pace as a significant weakness, which he noticed was exposed in the recent 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace.
“When you look at the back three he’s [Amorim’s] got, he’s trying to play from the back. He just hasn’t got enough pace. He hasn’t really,” Parker told Express Sport on behalf of Instant Casino.
“He’s playing Harry Maguire in the middle because he knows he can’t run, I would believe. But the problem is, Harry Maguire wants to sit too deep.
“The second goal against Crystal Palace [earlier this month], he’s behind. He’s seen his centre-half going towards the ball, and he should have been in line with him, but he sits back two yards.
Paul Parker has heavily criticised Harry Maguire. (Image: Getty)
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“And then I think Munoz, the Palace wing-back, runs in between because he’s not holding his line. So Amorim needs more pace at the back. He needs more know-how at the back.
“That’s where it’s coming from, and that’s supposedly one of his most experienced players there, who still can’t play in a four because of a lack of pace, and he’s struggling to play in a three because it puts him in wide areas.
“He’s got no pace. When Amorim puts him in the middle, the people run beyond him when he’s in control, where he can hold a high line and drop deep if he sees his pace being threatened.”
Amorim is expected to stick with the back three that lost 1-0 at last weekend when United visit Everton on Saturday.
Noussair Mazraoui and operated on either side of Maguire as part of a resolute defensive performance, barring a lapse for James Maddison’s winner.
However, the Portuguese head coach has revealed that Leny Yoro is back in contention after missing the trip to north London through illness.
Yoro’s return will leave him with a major dilemma, given the 19-year-old is more suited to a back three than Maguire and De Ligt due to his pace.
It looks set to leave Amorim having to decide between the duo to play with Mazraoui and Yoro for the remainder of the season.