“He is really s**t. I have said this so often.”
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has slammed Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, calling him “really s**t” on live television.
The Dutchman also admitted that he was baffled when United paid £80million to sign the England international from Leicester City in August 2019.
Maguire has been under intense criticism in recent weeks for a number of underwhelming performances, including being sent-off in the Red Devils 4-1 defeat to Watford at the weekend, a result that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dismissed.
Van der Vaart – who was previewing United’s Champions League clash with Villarreal for Dutch TV channel Ziggo Sport – certainly didn’t hold back with his criticism of the 28-year-old.
He said: “I talk about Harry Maguire so much, so I try to avoid him. But he is really s**t. I have said this so often.
“I can’t get away from the fact United have paid €90m for him. That’s how much he cost!
“Where did they look for him? You’ll find players like him at any amateur club in Holland.
Rafael van der Vaart on Ziggo Sport asked to analyse Manchester United captain, Harry Maguire, "He is really shit.
"You find a player like this at every amateur club in the Netherlands."
Safe to say van der Vaart is not a fan. 🤣
— Dutch Football 🇳🇱 (@FootballOranje_) November 23, 2021
“I think it is unbelievable. He is no top-class defender – and he demonstrates this every week.
“If you go out and sign players like him, I can understand why you end up having financial problems.”
Van der Vaart is not the only pundit who has slammed Maguire in recent weeks, with former United midfielder Roy Keane also making his feelings about the defender known.
However, the Irishman’s comments didn’t go down well with some people, as he was accused of bullying the former Leicester man as he criticised him for his performance in the 5-0 defeat to Liverpool and his subsequent celebration for England.
Maguire skippered the Red Devils to victory in their first game under caretaker Michael Carrick, with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho securing United’s progress into the knockout stages of the competition.
