MANCHESTER UNITED have been urged to ditch Harry Maguire from their starting XI and replace him with ‘no-nonsense’ Antonio Rudiger.
That’s according to former Red Devils defender Gary Pallister, who reckons the Chelsea star would be an upgrade on Maguire.
Gary Pallister has urged Man Utd to sign Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger this summer
Pallister reckons competing with Rudiger could make Harry Maguire a better player
However, he adds that the United skipper should NOT be sold, with the hope that challenging Rudiger for a place in the XI eventually makes Maguire a better player.
The England ace had another torrid evening as United crashed out of the Champions League to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Maguire also scored a calamitous own-goal in the weekend win over Tottenham.
And United are now thought to be exploring options for a new-back this summer.
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Chelsea ace Rudiger is a reported possibility, with the German out of contract at Stamford Bridge in July.
He would apparently be open to staying in the Premier League.
And former centre-back Pallister, who won four league titles during a nine-year career at United, believes Rudiger is the ideal man to partner Raphael Varane.
However, Pallister believes United shouldn’t completely axe Maguire just yet, as he may need the challenge of some real competition in order to truly realise his potential.
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Pallister told BoyleSports Football Betting: “You can’t have enough quality players in your squad. You’ve seen that with City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
“Liverpool have just gone out and bought [Luis] Diaz and we thought ‘wow, where do you fit him in.’
“If Rudiger became available on a free and he became interested in Man United, I’m sure they’d look at that.
“I wouldn’t be looking to sell Maguire but if you can add quality like Rudiger, add quality.
“He’s a no-nonsense defender and showed he’s got quality on the ball and to get him on a free would be good business.”
