“I think it’s the other way around” – Manchester United legend Nicky Butt claims club have let £80m signing down
Nicky Butt has claimed that Manchester United have let Harry Maguire down over the years, stating that the club has failed to sign a suitable partner for the English defender.
The Red Devils signed Maguire from Leicester City in 2019 for a reported fee of £80 million, making him the most expensive defender in world football. Since then, the centre-back has made 254 appearances for United, scoring 17 goals and providing nine assists. However, despite his contributions, Maguire has faced immense criticism during his time at Old Trafford.
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt shared his views on The Good, The Bad and the Football podcast, saying:
“Do you know what you were saying about never letting the club down? I think it’s the other way around, I think the club has let him down, if I’m honest. If you look at his best games, they have always been for England, where he’s had John Stones next to him, it’s like a Yin and Yang.
If you look at all the best partnerships for Man United — Bruce and Pallister, Vidic and Ferdinand — they were totally different players, but they complemented each other perfectly.”
The former England midfielder continued:
“With Harry, he’s gone to that club and he’s never had a player next to him who can complement him ever. Basically, what Man United have tried to do over the years is play out from the back and get Harry on the ball to play like a Rio [Ferdinand] or John Stones, but he just doesn’t have that in his locker.
So, I think the club have let him down with the partners he’s had next to him. And now he’s got his reward for all the crap he’s had for the last two or three years,” he concluded.
Maguire was made Manchester United’s captain in January 2020 but was stripped of the armband in July 2023.
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### Harry Maguire Opens Up After Scoring Manchester United’s Winner Against Liverpool
Manchester United secured a 2-1 victory against arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday, October 19. Bryan Mbeumo gave Liverpool the lead in the second minute before Cody Gakpo equalized in the 78th minute. Harry Maguire then scored the winner in the 84th minute with a brilliant header.
After the game, Maguire emphasized the importance of staying grounded. He said:
“We’ll not get carried away, because we know this club is not in a position to get carried away. We need to use this as motivation to reach levels that they’ve [Liverpool] reached in recent years, because that’s where this club should be at.
“In this club, it’ll mean a lot for this week, and then we’ve got Brighton at home next Saturday. We know that it’s a big win, and we’re going to get spoken about highly this week. The lads have got to remain calm-headed.”
This win marked Manchester United’s first back-to-back wins in the Premier League under manager Ralf Rangnick. They currently sit ninth in the standings, two points behind third-placed Liverpool.
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**About the author**
Aditya Singh has been working as a European football journalist and editor for Sportskeeda for nearly four years, with a total experience of over seven years. He always aims to provide proper context in his articles, drawing on his prior experience in writing and marketing across various industries.
Aditya also played college-level football for two years. A B.Tech graduate, his passion for football began after watching Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. A fan of Tottenham Hotspur’s creative and front-foot style since 2008, he appreciates the club’s underdog status.
As a Sportskeeda ‘Long-form Editor of the Month,’ Aditya admires Luka Modric’s elegant and hard-working style of play. His favorite manager is Carlo Ancelotti, valuing the freedom Ancelotti allows his players in an era of micromanagement.
Aditya also believes Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala could replicate the legendary Messi-Ronaldo rivalry due to their immense potential. In his free time, he enjoys classical fiction, traveling, and exploring diverse cuisines.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-i-think-it-s-way-around-manchester-united-legend-nicky-butt-claims-club-let-80m-signing-down
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