Maguire would ‘be better’ under ‘good coach’ at Chelsea as writing on the wall at Man Utd

Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire would “be better” under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, according to Darren Bent.

Maguire was dropped by Erik ten Hag on Monday and watched from the stands as United recorded an impressive win over Liverpool having been embarrassed in their opening two games of the season.

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The club captain played the full 90 minutes in both of the defeats to Brighton and Brentford as the Red Devils were torn apart defensively and conceded six goals.

Raphael Varane came in to the team and impressed alongside new signing Lisandro Martinez.

On that showing, according to former United full-back Paul Parker, it may be a while before Maguire returns to the starting XI.

“I look at Harry Maguire, and Ten Hag mentioned something that he was looking for in his back line, and he wants mobility and pace,” Parker told talkSPORT.

“Straight away, there are two words there that make it difficult for Harry Maguire to be playing regularly for Manchester United.

“To see the first goal that comes from Martinez, as soon as the ball comes to him, he passes it out wide to Elanga – he does not have two or three touches to make his mind up.

“United were a much better team going forward because they were getting the ball into midfield a lot quicker than the back four that they’d been playing with over the last few years.”

Maguire was linked with a surprise move to Barcelona earlier in the summer and reports last week claimed Chelsea – who need to add a further centre-back to their squad before the end of the transfer window – are also interested in the England international.

And Bent believes the 29-year-old would perform at a higher level if he was to make the move to Stamford Bridge, to play under a “defensive-minded” and “good” coach in Tuchel.

The former Tottenham striker said: “It’s mad that Maguire is being linked with Chelsea, but do you know what is really mad?

“Maguire’s form has fallen off a cliff, but if he was put into Thomas Tuchel’s system with Thomas Tuchel as a defensive-minded coach, I think he’d be better. I’m not saying he’d be a world beater, but he’d be better. It comes down to having a good coach at the end of the day.”

Chelsea are still hopeful of landing their top target Wesley Fofana, but have reportedly had a third ‘highly conditional’ bid of £70m rejected by Leicester.