Manchester United can't afford to repeat their obvious mistakes in the transfer market

Manchester United's signing of Raphael Varane this summer was expected to make Harry Maguire look better in defence.

The reality has been quite different. The signing of Varane has highlighted Maguire's shortcomings instead. Varane has been outstanding when he's been available this season. The Frenchman exudes quality on the ball and he's the signing in central defence that United have desperately needed. He's everything that United thought they were getting with Maguire.

Maguire was exceptional at the European Championship in the summer, but the same player that performed for England in the tournament didn't return to Carrington for pre-season. Maguire has looked devoid of confidence and he's currently enduring the worst season of his career. While there was the promise of a return to form against West Ham, Maguire couldn't build on that.

Maguire was poor again away to Burnley at Turf Moor on Tuesday. He was judged to have interfered in an offside position for Varane's disallowed goal, however, he also failed to get to assert his authority over Burnley's Wout Weghorst and Jay Rodriguez. That proved costly immediately after the second half began when Maguire somehow made 6'4" Wegorst look nimble and agile.

Wegorst turned Maguire inside out and played through Rodriquez before the United captain hopelessly tracked back to attempt to make amends. Rodriquez was too quick. Maguire couldn't. Burnley were level and they forced the points to be shared.

Tuesday night was the latest performance that Maguire will want to forget about. Ralf Rangnick left him on the bench recently, perhaps to coax him back into form, but that decision has made no difference. He continues to underperform and the only solution appears to leave him