Graeme Souness makes not entirely unreasonable claim about Man United defence

"Jonny Evans was allowed to leave. Jonny Evans is better than any centre-half they have now."

Graeme Souness has criticised Manchester United's decision to sell Jonny Evans in 2015, suggesting that he is a better player than Harry Maguire. Evans - who came through the club's academy - left Old Trafford in August 2015, signing for West Bromwich Albion for a reported fee of £6million, plus £2million in add-ons. The Northern Ireland international then went on to join Leicester in 2018, helping the Foxes to win the FA Cup earlier this year. On the other hand, the Red Devils have struggled to find a consistent partnership at the heart of defence in recent years, surprising many when they signed Maguire for £80million in 2019. The former Leicester man has struggled to help United get back to winning major trophies, and Souness believes that Maguire wasn't actually an upgrade on Evans. The 33-year-old has played 118 times for Leicester and helped them to FA Cup glory, last season. He scored his first goal of the season against Southampton. Speaking on talkSPORT, the ex-Liverpool man questioned United's transfer strategy, saying: "The thing you have to get right at a football club is recruitment and since Fergie went it has been a masterclass in how to get it wrong.

"That's how I see it. You look at the players they've brought in, the players they've sold.

"Jonny Evans was allowed to leave. Jonny Evans is better than any centre-half they have now. I just don't get it."

Souness' comments might come as a surprise to some people, especially considering that the Red Devils signed World Cup winner in Raphael Varane in the summer. However, the former Real Madrid man has struggled to maintain his fitness since his move to Old Trafford, while Maguire has been out-of-form since returning from the European Championships with England in the summer. After being sent-off against Watford in October, the United skipper is set to return to action when United host Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on Thursday.

Related links:

• Micah Richards and Graeme Souness disagree over Man City second goal in heated argument
• ‘Extremely selfish’ Mo Salah is world’s best player, Souness claims
• Graeme Souness tears into Tottenham after embarrassing derby defeat

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