Jaap Stam Criticizes Harry Maguire: Wes Brown Is Much Better

DBasia.news – Since Manchester United made Harry Maguire the world’s most expensive defender when recruited in 2019 from Leicester City, for £80 million, the spotlight on the Englishman has been even greater.

Whether influenced by the spotlight or expectations with the price tag, Maguire often displays inconsistent performances: can be good in one game and can also appear bad by making blunders.

Unlike Virgil van Dijk who had success with Liverpool, Maguire has not achieved it with Man United to raise doubts about the price tag.

Man United legend Jaap Stam, who previously played as a defender, was also asked about the 28-year-old’s performance. Speaking on The Michael Anthony’s show, Stam considered Maguire a good player when he defended Leicester.

“Man United spent a lot of money on him (Maguire). Honestly, when I saw him at Leicester City he was a great player,” said Stam.

The situation changed 180 degrees at Man United. Stam, who has already won the treble with United and was successful under Sir Alex Ferguson, even compared Maguire to his predecessor Wes Brown.

Different from Maguire, Brown is not Man United’s main defender but a back-up but with the same quality as the team’s main defender. Moreover, Brown is versatile because he can play as a right or center back.

Stam compared Maguire and Brown. According to him, Brown is better than Maguire in terms of speed and also faster to close spaces in one-on-one duels.

“I think Wes Brown is faster than him (Maguire). He was also faster in one-on-one duels in large spaces. When you play for United you have to be able to defend one-on-one in big spaces.”

“I think it’s important to have good players around him (Maguire). When he has good players around him to back him up, it helps. When I have good players around me, I can perform a little bit better too.”

“I’ve seen Maguire play good football too but I think sometimes he wants to do more than what’s asked of him.

“Sometimes he needs to play a little bit more modestly. In his way of thinking too. I really think that the players in front of him can help him.”

“They can help him play. Then the partnership with (Raphael) Varane will help him. I think it’s good that he can come in too,” said Stam.