Manchester United must fix Harry Maguire problem to ease Erik ten Hag pressure

Harry Maguire faced a torrent of criticism for his performances for Manchester United last season.

This spilled over into England fans booing him during March’s international break, and for some reason it reared its ugly head again in the club’s 3-1 friendly win over Crystal Palace in Australia earlier last week. Many fans feel he failed to show enough leadership last term amid a fractured dressing room, leading to calls for him to be stripped of the captaincy.

Yet Erik ten Hag hasn't bowed to these calls. He has backed the centre-half by keeping him on as captain and starting him in every friendly he’s been available for so far this summer. That’s not to say the decision has been overly popular, as evidenced by the jeering in Melbourne.

READ MORE: Ten Hag casts verdict on pre-season tour

Maguire has shown strong character throughout the saga, but he was nonetheless still subjected to criticism for two of the four goals United conceded during their pre-season tour. The issue is, he wasn’t solely to blame.

Ten Hag’s attacking full-back philosophy has worked nicely and gone down a storm with supporters in his first four games. However, that’s doesn't mean there isn't a flaw, which can expose the centre-backs.

When both United full-backs have been up the pitch, the team has been susceptible to pacey counter-attacks, which have twice led to goals. Victor Lindelof’s inability to keep up with the Melbourne Victory runners saw Maguire isolated for the Australian side's opener in the 4-1 United win.

And again, in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, both players were criticised for failing to stop the rapid Leon Bailey firing home Vila's first goal despite the full-backs being nowhere to be seen.

Ten Hag has not had many