Harry Maguire is seriously struggling at the moment, but Callum Wilson says he would take the Manchester United defender at Newcastle.
The Red Devils captain is arguably undergoing the most difficult period of his career. He lost his place in the Man United starting XI at the beginning of the season, whilst he endured a torrid international break with England.
Maguire is being criticised from all angles, both for club and country. The £80million man is currently out injured, taking him out of the spotlight somewhat.
That means he won’t feature this weekend when Man United welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford. The Magpies are in fine form, and are looking to make it three wins on the bounce.
Eddie Howe has built a mean backline that currently boasts one of the best defensive records in the Premier League right now.
But if Maguire was a Newcastle player, Toon forward Callum Wilson would have him in the starting lineup.
Wilson on Maguire
Newcastle’s number nine has been discussing the form of Maguire alongside Michail Antonio on the Footballer’s Football Podcast.
“I feel for Harry because he’s an unbelievable player. He’ll work his way out of it,” Wilson said.
“It’s a shame to see as a fellow pro and someone who has played with him and against him and knows he’s a good player. I’d take him in my team every day of the week! That’s how I rate him.
“It’s a shame but when you’re such a high profile player and you play for Manchester United and England you’re under the spotlight a lot more and your mistakes are scrutinised a lot more.”
Maguire at Newcastle? Unlikely
Personally, I think the criticism of Maguire has gone too far. His confidence is now shot to bits and it’s difficult to see him getting out of this rut.
It might happen if he leaves Old Trafford and starts anew somewhere else, but who would take him? While Wilson might fancy him at Newcastle, a move to St James’ Park feels incredibly unlikely.
Firstly, his age might be an issue. Maguire is currently 29-years-old, and turns 30 next March. That puts him in a similar age bracket to Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles.
The next time Newcastle sign a centre-back, it will surely be someone younger who can be Sven Botman’s long-term partner at the back.
Secondly, money might be a problem. Man United will want to recoup at least some of the £80million they spent on him in 2019. Dan Ashworth isn’t going to break the bank to sign a defender who will soon be in his 30s.
Then you come onto wages. Newcastle have been unwilling to smash their wage structure so far during the new ownership, and that isn’t going to change unless the player is worth it. Maguire doesn’t fall under that category.
And finally, his style of play perhaps wouldn’t suit Eddie Howe. He is trying to get Newcastle playing higher up the pitch, while Maguire is at his best when he is able to play a little bit closer to his own box.
Maguire has been a really good defender and hopefully re-finds his form in the near future. But that won’t be happening in a Newcastle shirt.
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