It has been a very difficult season for Manchester United, but former defender Rio Ferdinand has urged Harry Maguire to follow the footsteps of goalkeeper David de Gea to regain his form for the Red Devils this season.
Speaking to his Vibe with FIVE podcast, Ferdinand explained how Maguire should take help from De Gea and understand how the Spaniard dealt with his situation of adversity and came out of it with flying colours.
He wants Maguire to learn the secrets of how he can get back to his best form again and there is absolutely no one better than the Spanish custodian who has been through a lot in his Manchester United career. He also explains how when things are not going right it is necessary to take some time off and get the thoughts in the right place.
“I think sometimes you need to be taken out of the fire. He’s needed that, he’s been under huge pressure, that comes with being Man United captain, that’s part of it. I think the proof will be in the pudding. We have to see it now, he’s come back in straight away, he looked very good at the weekend against West Ham – can he maintain that until the end of the season now? That will be the deciding factor on whether it was the right decision. I think he needed it. Sometimes you need to sit out and take stock, reboot yourself and go again.”
He shared how the manager during De Gea’s early days asked the experienced players whether they should keep the Spaniard or let leave the club. De Gea was making mistakes but the coach showed his trust and that turned out to be great for the player and also for United.
United signed Harry Maguire from Leicester City in 2019, in a deal worth £80 million. The deal made Maguire the highest-paid defender of all time. The England international since then went on to make 129 appearances for the Red Devils and has also earned the armband in the process.
However, this season things have not been great for the English defender as he has only made 22 appearances and has struggled with persistent injury problems and waning form. Therefore speaking to David De Gea can be a great thing for Maguire because the Spaniard experienced the worst at Old Trafford and has also felt the best. His influence can change Maguire’s bad patch.
