‘Harry Maguire will never be Virgil van Dijk’ – Criticism of Manchester United defender harsh after Europa League exit, says Danny Murphy

Danny Murphy has come to the defence of Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire, saying it’s unfair to compare the Red Devils captain to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.

Maguire has come under fire at times this season for his performances at the heart of United’s shaky defence, with a latest volley aimed at the defender after the club’s defeat to Sevilla in their Europa League semi-final.

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The England international has been criticised for his lack of pace, poor positioning and apparent lack of awareness times throughout the campaign, his first in a Man United shirt following his £80million arrival from Leicester City last summer.

And fans were on his back again following Sunday’s 2-1 collapsed against the Spanish club, especially after his mistake in Sevilla’s equalising goal, which saw him completely lose his man in the box before ex-Liverpool man Suso ghosted in at the far post to score.

Frustrated United fans have often compared Maguire and Van Dijk this term, with many questioning his value for money after splashing out on a world-record transfer fee for a defender to sign him.

But Murphy says the criticism of the United skipper has been too harsh this season and insists he has improved, he just isn’t on Van Dijk’s level.

“Man United have got to be better defensively, that’s been proven this season,” the former Liverpool midfielder told Jim White.

“With Harry Maguire, people just compared the price tag with Van Dijk, and that’s’ not right.

“You can’t compare Maguire to Van Dijk. Van Dijk is a better player is every aspect. He’s never going to be Van Dijk.

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“He’s never going to be that quick, he’s never going to be as good a passer, he’s not going to be Van Dijk.

“But what he has done is he’s made United better and he’s going to get better.

“United’s defensive record since the restart has been good and he’s been part of that. He’s played every minute of nearly every game to be fair to him and he looked a bit leggy against Sevilla, which is understandable.

“So cut him a bit of slack.”

Murphy also sent a message to any United fan who was fuming with their team after Sunday’s European exit, that they should be pleased with the progress they have made this season despite their cup disappointments.

Solskjaer’s side have become the first team ever to lose semi-finals in the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League in one campaign, but Murphy insists they are going in the right direction.

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“I wouldn’t be that worried as a United fan,” he added.

“Where United are at right now, they’re progressing and moving forward, and that’s the key. They weren’t making any progress, but now they are.

“They’re competing with two of the best teams in the world in Man City and Liverpool. Liverpool are just unbelievable at the moment and to reach that bar you’ve got to grow.

“Liverpool grew to that level, Klopp has been there four or five seasons now. You can’t argue United have progressed this season and developed.

“United fans should be happy about where they’re at. They’ve got to want more, It’s Man United, but I think if you had said to United fans before Fernandes turned up and before this turnaround they had, ‘you’ll finish in the top four and in the semi-finals of three cups’, they’d have probably laughed at you, that’s how badly they were doing.

“I think they’ll be competitive next year, not to Liverpool and Man City, I think they’re still be behind them, but they’ll be better again next season.”