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Man Utd ‘should have signed Conor Coady because Harry Maguire can’t run’ says former Arsenal star Paul Merson

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MANCHESTER UNITED should have tried to land Conor Coady to cover the shortfalls of ex-captain Harry Maguire.

That's according to former Arsenal playmaker Paul Merson.

Maguire is too slow in a back four for United, Merson claims
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Maguire is too slow in a back four for United, Merson claimsCredit: Getty
The Arsenal legend thinks the side could have done with new Everton signing Coady
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The Arsenal legend thinks the side could have done with new Everton signing CoadyCredit: AP

Everton confirmed the signing of Coady from Wolves in a season-long loan on Monday.

While the Red Devils went on to get battered 4-0 at Brentford on Saturday after defensive woes handed the Bees a head start.

And Merson, 54, reckons Coady would have been perfect for Erik ten Hag's back line to help out England international Maguire.

He told : "They should have been going for Conor Coady, they need to play three at the back!

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"Maguire, I don't want to keep going on, but Maguire can’t run. You need to play a five at the back.

"Play in a three, he's a very good player. Comes out with the ball, he can pass it, he's a defender and he can get tighter.

"When he's playing in a four he can't go and engage because if he gets left one versus one, he's going to struggle."

The ex-Gooner went on to add that the Old Trafford club have found it difficult to sign top players this summer.

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And he revealed he thinks it's because NO ONE wants to play for them.

Merson declared: "No one wants to go to Manchester United.

"It's horrible but no one does. Their main rivals are Liverpool who are much better.

"They've got the team next door [Manchester City] who are the best team about at the moment.

"Footballers ain't silly. Anyone pays money now. It''s not like Man Utd are the big payers."

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