I completely disagree with that and i'm someone that thinks Maguire is not actually a bad defender. It was a team that shipped 44 goals in the league and had fans constantly moaning about whether it was his or Lindelof's fault or the midfield's lack of protection (McFred). Maguire's best season at the club was his first.
I used to think the whole division between the two camps was just lazy media stuff but it seems there's maybe an element of truth in it. As much of an a-hole Ronaldo is he's also a serial winner and I suspect he was shocked at the quality of the players and the culture in the dressing room. That doesn't absolve him but he came into a team of players that always seemed to flatter to deceive and bluff their way through their United careers. They'll get you second place but they'll get knocked out of the champions league group stage, they'll beat City with a plucky performance one week and then ship 4 against Liverpool another week. I don't like Ronaldo at times but I can sympathise with him and also Varane for the situation they were in.
There's a lot of justified suspicions that Ronaldo's arrival played a large part in us collapsing last season. It's not necessarily surprising either. We know he's a big ego, we know he cares for himself above the team, we know he can throw tantrums and say stupid comments when he doesn't get his way. Drop that kind of personality in the middle of a fragile team with a massive contract, and we get the kind of results we saw last season, as well as the infighting. Maguire seemingly being one of the main casualties.
In my opinion, Maguire had a shake first half of the first season, not to wonder with the Greek incident hanging over him. Then he gradually improved. I think Lindelöf was better that season. Apart from the collective wobble of the whole team after the no preseason covid debacle, he was our best defender in 20/21, him or Shaw. Many held this opinion at the time, and it clearly hurt us when he was injured by the end of the season. In the EC he was named in Team of the Tournament. After Ronaldo’s arrival, he dropped of a cliff, IMO. Why?
I think in a way it’s unfair to hang either Ronaldo or Maguire out to dry, even if they should rightfully be criticized. There are many players and coaches who acknowledge Maguire’s mentality and leadership qualities, fans verdicts bear little weight compared to that. It is easy to see that Ronaldo’s ego drive can be disruptive to a team, it’s nothing new - and at the same time, that personality has been a driving force behind several CL wins, league wins, an EC win. Ultimately, it’s up to the club leaders to evaluate how this will work. Getting Ronaldo back was, facts in hand, an ill devised plan that even if spurred by Woodward and Joel Glazer, probably cost Solskjær his job. In retrospect he probably should have said ‘him or me’ when the idea was first flouted. It’s really of little interest to excuse Maguire for letting shit get to him - the point for us is that it did, and that has to be handled. Which Ten Hag seems to be doing.
Are you seriously going to blame Ronaldo for Maguires collapse ? Grow up.
This club cries out for winners and as soon as one walks in then he is to blame for the clubs mental weaknesses. Maguire is the clubs captain, if he can’t handle criticism from the greatest player of all time then he doesn’t belong here.
Get a grip.
What’s with the machismo? You imply that I’m a child? Do you really think any top coach has such simplistic macho ideas about how to handle egoes and clique formation in a elite performance group? No need to get tough in the mouth, you don’t know me, and you didn’t really understand what you responded to either, if you read it again.