Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have been criticized by former Manchester United full-back Paul Parker
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have been heavily criticized by former Manchester United full-back Paul Parker. (Image: Sean Botterill/Getty Images)
Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker is the latest former player to criticize members of the current squad. A pundit sent a scathing message to defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, saying they should have left the club “a long time ago”.
Both players were included in the starting lineup for Michael Carrick’s first game as manager. Maguire’s performance in United’s 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City was particularly praised.
Nevertheless, Parker’s criticism is the latest by a former United player. There has been a war of words between Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Lisandro Martinez in recent days, with another former defender of Rio Ferdinand jumping to Martinez’s defence.
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Former captain Roy Keane gave a scathing assessment of the situation at Old Trafford in a scathing rant on Sky Sports ahead of the Manchester derby. Maguire’s performance in that match caused an immediate reaction.
But it looks like the United defender will need to continue his performances alongside team-mate Shaw if Parker is to change his mind.
Parker told MyBettingSites.co.uk: “I think Maguire and Shaw are emblematic of what’s gone wrong at Manchester United and I hate people who think they’re the solution. They both should have been sacked a long time ago and they’re still here collecting wages.”
“The fact that they are still here is a joke. Are they the worst players in the team? No, but they have been here for a long time, occupying space in the team and underperforming what you would expect from a Manchester United player.”
“Was it impossible to get rid of them? It’s certainly possible that they just want to be part of Manchester United and make a lot of money, but that says a lot about their ambition. If they had real ambition, they would move to a club where they could make a difference. They can play for Manchester United, but they can’t make a difference.”
It has been said that Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire should have left Manchester United a long time ago. (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.)
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“None of them are getting better. They’re at this age so they have to realize it’s time to move on. They don’t have a future at the club.
“Listen, sometimes it’s tough, I know that. We were told there was no future at Manchester United, but Gary Neville had a future. That’s life, you just move on.”
“One day, when they finish their football, they will realize that it was a mistake to stay for so long. Can we blame them? Yes and no. It’s perfectly fair that they were offered a contract and accepted it, but at some point you have to look yourself in the mirror and accept that you have nothing to offer.”
“Could they do a good job under Carrick? Maybe if he changes his playing style significantly, and he might have to if he wants to keep his job. But the way Manchester United should be going attack-minded doesn’t suit them.”
Maguire is close to leaving United in 2023, with the club reportedly agreeing a transfer fee with West Ham United. However, the deal fell through over personal terms and Maguire remained at Old Trafford.
Carrick is reportedly sticking to his desire to keep the centre-back this month, although he has reportedly been the subject of an investigation so far this month. The caretaker manager is said to want the club to reject any offers for Maguire between now and the end of the transfer window.
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