Graeme Souness gives damning verdict on Manchester United midfield

Graeme Souness believes failures in Manchester United's midfield have contributed to their defensive struggles.

Harry Maguire and the Reds midfield have been heavily scrutinised this season as United have failed to build on last season's second-placed finish and the additions of Raphael Varane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho. Ahead of this summer, the Reds have already identified both positions for improvement, the heart of the midfield has been highlighted as a 'biggest problem ' but the former Liverpool midfielder believes the fragility in that position has contributed to Maguire's lack of form.

He told Sky Sports: "He has got qualities, he is good on the ball and good in the air. He reads the game okay, he is not the quickest and it is very easy to look at Manchester United and put all the results down to your defending.

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"But when I played, equally as important and playing a clever pass I took in as much pleasure as making sure that my two centre backs were never exposed, and I think if you look at Manchester United’s makeup in midfield, it has never been right. Liverpool’s success has been based on their midfield and the intensity in which they press with players like James Milner and Jordan Henderson, and that is why they have become so successful.

"They (Manchester United) get passed through too easily, they are not pressing collectively, and I look at Manchester United’s midfield, and I could play 45 minutes against them now because they play with no real intensity. It is very easy to point the finger at Harry Maguire and whoever his partner is and say, they aren’t doing their job, but they need help from their midfielders."

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