Man Utd struggler Harry Maguire told he isn’t too good for Villa after transfer link

On Jan 12, 2023

Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott believes Harry Maguire is not too good for Aston Villa.

The Manchester United captain has only started one Premier League match since he returned from the World Cup. Maguire was one of the Three Lions’ best players in Qatar, yet United manager Erik ten Hag has preferred to deploy an out-of-position Luke Shaw in the middle of the park instead.

The £80m man was heavily linked with a move to Aston Villa with various reports even claiming a move had been agreed between the former Leicester City man and the Midlanders. And Lescott believes the powerful central defender is not too good or too big for a move to Villa Park.

“I don’t want to sound disrespectful to him or the club, but baring the top five or six teams at the moment, the level is pretty similar,” Lescott said on behalf of BT Sports when asked if Maguire is now operating at Villa’s level. “Anyone can finish anywhere.

“So, in regards to, if you’re looking at that club, it’s a massive club. So if he was linked with them and he was to play for Aston Villa, it’s a huge club.

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Harry Maguire was heavily linked with a move to Villa Park
(Image: Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Lescott believes a move to Villa might be good for Maguire

“But if you’re going off the level of where they are in the table, I think it’s unfair to judge them and him, potentially, going there on that because that could change within two to three games. They could be a couple points off Europe or fighting relegation within weeks, because that’s the nature of the Premier League.

“So, in regards to him going there and that being his level, I think it’s an unfair assessment. It doesn’t just mean he is an average player or they are an average team, it just means either the teams that are at the top, it’s pretty similar elsewhere, and I’m sure he’s focused.”

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Reports from talkSPORT claimed Maguire was on his way to Villa Park. And while Maguire may depart United feeling disappointed about his time on the red side of Manchester, Lescott does not believe the central defender will have to worry about his place in the England squad.

“If he does choose to leave, it’s ‘how do I maintain my England position?’ And it’s proven that, regardless of where you’re playing, as long as you’re performing well you can play for England.”

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