Arsenal legend Paul Merson has revealed that he rang Manchester United captain Harry Maguire to apologise after going ‘a bit too far’ in his criticism of the England international.
Maguire became the most expensive defender in history when he completed a £80million move to United from Leicester City in the summer of 2019. Despite being named skipper shortly after his arrival at Old Trafford, the 29-year-old has endured a difficult period with United in the past year and has come under criticism from fans and pundits for his personal performances.
This season, Maguire has found himself on the bench under new manager Erik ten Hag — with the centre-back only starting three of United’s eight games so far this season before being replaced in the side by Raphael Varane.
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Merson previously called Maguire's £80m move to Old Trafford 'ridiculous', admitting that he was shocked by the fee the club payed and questioned if he would be a success in Manchester.
Speaking to Sky Sports in 2019, Merson said: "£80m for Maguire is ridiculous at the highest level. You have to remember he ripped it up for England in a three. And when you play in a three at the back, you do that for one reason only – the defenders are not good enough and you do not trust them.
"He kicks off now with United and you are on the halfway line and all of a sudden you are playing against Arsenal and you are on the halfway line and balls are going over the top for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and for Man City for Sergio Aguero and it is pace, pace, pace."
However, the Gunners great has since admitted that he regrets his comments, revealing he contacted Maguire to apologise after getting his phone number from Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers.
"I don’t want to be right on that – I’d rather be wrong," Merson told The Telegraph. "I want England to win the World Cup and Harry Maguire to get the winning goal.
"It was just my opinion. I rang up Brendan Rodgers and said, “Can you get me Harry Maguire’s number?” I didn’t feel comfortable with myself.
"I needed to ring him and say, 'I don’t agree with the £80m but I shouldn’t have said that and I’m sorry'. I went a little bit too far.
"He couldn’t believe it. Probably thought it was a joke. I don’t think he has had a fair crack. He’s struggling and he’s playing on the left when he’s right-footed."
Maguire will be looking to impress Ten Hag while on international duty with England. He is likely to feature in the upcoming matches against Italy and Germany.
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