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Maligned Man Utd star cops most bizarre criticism yet, as politics meets football in surreal outburst

Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek - Premier League football, Norwich versus Manchester United; at Carrow Road

Man Utd star Harry Maguire was used by a Ghanaian politician to make a damaging point about his country’s economy, with the truly bizarre outburst prompting those in attendance to roar with laughter.

Maguire has come in for more than his fair share of criticism since moving to Man Utd in 2019. Some has been justified, especially with his performance levels noticeably dropping off at club level over the last season-and-a-half.

The jibes have gone overboard on occasion, though today brought unquestionably the most bizarre critique yet.

Maguire was used as an example during a speech by Ghanaian politician, Isaac Adongo.

Those in attendance convened to discuss the country’s ailing economy, with Adongo alleging the situation has been wholly mismanaged by those currently in power.

As a way to fire a verbal volley at Mahamudu Bawumia – Ghana’s Vice President and former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana – Adongo referenced the languishing club career of Harry Maguire.

“If you are a fan of football, and I was happy to see the jubilation when Ghana won [at the World Cup], but there was a player in the United Kingdom, in England called Maguire who was playing for Manchester United,” Adongo told the Ghana parliament (via the Mirror).

“Harry Maguire, he’s a defender. He was tackling everybody (while at Leicester) and throwing his body everywhere. He was seen as the best defender in the world, Manchester United were at the bottom.

“He became the biggest threat at the centre of the Manchester United defence, tackling Manchester players and giving assists to opponents. Mr Speaker, when you see the opponents go to score, Maguire will score for them.”

Harry Maguire criticism keeps on flowing

Adongo then used Maguire’s drop off in form with United as a reference point for Bawumia, branding him an “economic Maguire.”

He continued: “Mr Speaker, you remember in this country we also have an economic Maguire. This economic Maguire, we’re clapping saying this man is the best in managing foreign terms.

“The same economic Maguire was at Central University delivering lectures on how to restore the value of the Cedi (Ghana’s currency).

“Mr Speaker, why we gave this Maguire the opportunity to be at the centre of our defence, he became the rest of our own goals.

“Why he thought he was the best in capital opportunity, he moved us to 40.4. Why at that time he was the best at managing the recession at nine percent, he moved it to 54 per cent.

“Mr Speaker the biggest issue is now is that when we pay the appearance fee for this Maguire.”

Many in attendance howled with laughter at Adongo’s surreal outburst in the latest example of Maguire criticism taking on a new life of its own.

However, with the 29-year-old remaining an integral part of Gareth Southgate’s plans in Qatar, Maguire has an opportunity to silence the doubters once and for all in the coming days and weeks.

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