Harry Maguire is caught tackling his OWN TEAM-MATE in new angle of Man United’s defensive horror show – as Luke Shaw’s comments spark concern about weaknesses

Harry Maguire’s defending is again under scrutiny after the Manchester United star wrestled with his own team-mate before Hull’s first goal at the weekend. 

The centre-back had his arm around Noussair Mazraoui before the man he should have been marking, Semi Ajayi, bashed the ball into the net. 

Had the grappling not have taken place, either Maguire or Mazraoui could have reacted and fought for the ball, which had bounced off the post into the danger area.  

But perhaps the confusion makes sense after Luke Shaw raised the alarm over United’s lack of preparation for set-pieces under Michael Carrick. 

‘Disappointing, I think we knew Hull’s strengths,’ Shaw said. ‘Set-plays and wide positions and crosses into the box. 

‘At times we did defend well, but the goals, set-plays, not good enough. We knew they were going to be good from set-plays and ultimately it’s cost us the three points today.

Luke Shaw said afterwards that Manchester United had not prepared enough for set-pieces

Maguire has had similar moments before, such as when he brought down Shaw in 2020, leading to a Tottenham goal 

‘Really disappointing. It’s not us and we knew it was coming. I think as a whole, as a group, collectively, we could prepare better. Especially knowing how good they are at set-plays and what their dangers are.

‘I think also going forward we were lacking that cutting edge today to score the goals and try to fight our way back into the game.’

United conceded a second goal stemming from a set-piece later in the first half when Nobel Mendy netted his first Premier League goal.  

Football fans on social media were certainly confused by what they had seen.

‘Maguire has done it again,’ said one on X. 

‘Maguire please don’t bring back the old version of yourself,’ said another. 

‘He thought it was still pre-season training,’ one joked.

Others stood up for the Englishman, with one saying: ‘No Maguire slander would be tolerated. Man was our second best player today after Mbeumo.’

Semi Ajayi gave the hosts the lead after a kerfuffle in the box in the 17th minute 

Nobel Mendy made matters worse for United when he added Hull’s second after 38 minutes

Another shifted blame from Maguire, saying: ‘All of them are standing like b***** statues and that’s what p***** me off. Nobody charged. Nobody. Pathetic when it comes to passion. 

This is not the first time Maguire has committed friendly fire and obstructed a team-mate.

He accidentally ‘fouled’ Shaw in 2020 against Tottenham, which resulted in a goal; once kicked Paul Pogba in the head, which forced him to leave the pitch bleeding; and appealed for a handball against team-mate Nemanja Matic in the box.

In high pressure moments, with the match moving at such speed, it is easy to become confused, but his repeated blunders in this department have left supporters befuddled. 

The 33-year-old, who missed out on the World Cup, played for Hull between 2014 and 2017.

He joined United from Leicester in a record £80million deal in 2019 and, in April, signed a fresh one-year deal with the club. United also hold the option to extend it by a year. 

His wages have dropped from around £180,000 per week to £120,000 in line with the club’s new salary structure.