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

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.

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!

"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."