Harry Maguire will remain Manchester United scapegoat until Ralf Rangnick finishes Van Dijk plan

Harry Maguire's biggest problem is that he exists in a world where Manchester United paid more for him than Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk.

It's a burden he'll likely carry for the remainder of his career, but some context is sorely needed.

It is true that Maguire was overpriced when United bought him in 2019, but that doesn't instantly make him a bad signing. I can pay over £100 for a Foo Fighters ticket and still enjoy the concert despite conceding I'd paid over the odds.

Another point that will always be raised when debating United's move for Maguire is Graeme Souness' "put their medals on the table" test.

Van Dijk has won the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool, while Maguire remains without a trophy since moving to Old Trafford. Again, context is needed.

Van Dijk was described as a 'transformative' signing for Liverpool's defence and, while he is a very good defender, that seriously undersells the work that Jurgen Klopp has done with the team.

Liverpool defend as a unit. The whole team is responsible for defending and is culpable when the opposition create a chance. Obviously, if one player makes a huge individual error then it's not quite that simple, but the point is the team work together to keep the opposition at bay.

Subsequently, the centre-backs are able to thrive and play to their strengths; both Van Dijk and Manchester City's Ruben Dias are excellent ball-playing defenders who help the team progress the ball up the pitch.

Burnley's goal against United on Tuesday night was a perfect example of how United are yet to grasp such an approach.

First of all, Scott McTominay is not a number six. He's going to have to fill in there for the rest of the season but that's a different conversation.