Man Utd icon points finger at club chiefs with damning Harry Maguire accusation

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Manchester United have been accused of 'letting down' Harry Maguire by failing to sign a suitable partner for the central defender after the England star continued his renaissance with the winner against Liverpool at the weekend.

The former Red Devils captain sparked jubilant scenes in the away end at Anfield and back in Manchester when he headed home a perfect lofted ball from Bruno Fernandes to clinch a 2-1 victory for Ruben Amorim's men , who recorded back-to-back Premier League wins under the Portuguese coach for the first time in his tenure.

Maguire was a fitting hero for United given he spurned a golden opportunity to win the game at Anfield last season, but his 84th minute winner also caps a remarkable redemption arc for a player who was ridiculed after losing form during a difficult period, which also led to him being stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag .

The 32-year-old has shown remarkable character to bounce back and rediscover his top form - and Nicky Butt thinks that United have let him down by some of their transfer work rather than the other way round.

“Do you know what you were saying about never letting the club down, I think it’s the other way around, I think the club has let him down, if I’m honest,” the former United midfielder said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast .

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“If you look at his best games they have always been for England, he’s had John Stones next to him, it’s like a Yin and Yang. If you look at all the best partnerships for Man United, Bruce – Pallister, totally different players, Vidic – Ferdinand, totally different players.

“With Harry, he’s going to that club and he’s never had a player next to him who can compliment him ever. Basically what Man United have tried to do over the years is try to play out for the back and they’re trying to get Harry on the ball and play out from the back like a Rio [Ferdinand] or John Stones, he just doesn’t have that in his locker.

“So I think the club have let him down with the partners he’s had next to him. And now he got his reward for all the crap he’s had for the last two or three years.”

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Amorim himself has paid tribute to Maguire for how he has resurrected his career following some dark days under the previous regime. “A great example to every kid,” was how Amorim described the United centre-half.

Maguire himself showed his class by mentioning the support United's supporters have shown him in recent years after his goal celebrations, saying: “I didn’t know where I was in the stadium when I put it in, I (just) knew I was onside.

“I just fancied doing the trademark kneeslide. I should have probably gone to Bruno after the amazing assist he gave me, but when you’re in that moment, you don’t realise.

“After I’d wheeled away to the other end, I felt like I needed to celebrate in front of the United fans. They’ve been amazing with me throughout my time here. (It was a) really special moment for me to give it back to them.”

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