Hargreaves: For This Weekend’s Away Match Against Villa, Ten Hag Should Start Maguire Over De Ligt

Manchester United struggled to a 3-3 draw away against Porto in the second round of the Europa League. After the game, former Manchester United player Hargreaves urged manager Erik ten Hag to start Harry Maguire over Matthijs de Ligt as the central defender for this weekend’s league match.

As usual this season, Ten Hag lined up De Ligt alongside Lisandro Martinez at the Estádio do Dragão. The Dutchman believed this was the best solution for Manchester United at center-back following Varane’s injury, but it didn’t quite work out that way.

Porto’s striker Omorodion dominated De Ligt and Martinez, with all three goals having something to do with the 20-year-old Spanish forward. Especially for the second goal, De Ligt was easily shrugged off by Omorodion and lost out in an aerial duel, leaving the Dutch defender lying on the turf in despair, an image that stuck with Manchester United fans.

De Ligt was substituted off in the 79th minute due to injury and was replaced by Evans, ending his nightmarish trip to Portugal. Meanwhile, substitute Maguire scored a header in stoppage time to equalize and secure a point for the Red Devils.

After the game, Hargreaves, working as a commentator for TNT, said bluntly, “Harry (Maguire) must start this weekend at Villa Park because De Ligt really struggled today. Clearly, Samu (Omorodion) has tremendous explosive power, and Villa’s Watkins and Driess will be no easier to handle, so Ten Hag needs to act decisively; there are too many gaps in the defense right now. Samu ran incredibly well and was very efficient in front of goal. De Ligt was absolutely torn apart by Samu today, it was an absolute nightmare.”