Forner France international Emmanuel Petit cannot see a future for Harry Maguire at Manchester United.
The World Cup winner believes that the 29-year-old is “destroyed mentally” at Old Trafford following his struggles at the club. A switch to Chelsea has been mooted with Thomas Tuchel believed to have identified the player as a possible alternative to Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana.
Petit told Fair Betting Sites: “If I am Maguire, I would feel insecure and in a very difficult position.
“I lost the armband, I’m not the captain anymore, I lost my place in the team. And now I am on the bench.
“When I look at him, my first feeling is ‘this guy is destroyed mentally’. He’s not there anymore. He needs to rebuild mentally.
“He has to do this every single game, by playing well. Trying to get back the confidence from the fans, from his team-mates, from the press, from himself. To try to feel more secure on the pitch.
“At the moment, this is not the case. I think mentally, he’s very low, he’s down. He needs to work mentally.
“He’s got quality to be a good defender – for me, he’s not one of the top defenders, he’s never been.
“But he’s a good quality defender if he’s good in his head and plays well. But this is not the case for ages. He has received criticism for two or three years now.
“For me, I’m not sure his future is laying with Manchester United. I think things have gone too far.
“To be honest with you, if I am Maguire, I would probably think about leaving.
“Because the World Cup is coming, so if I’m not playing, that means my position in the national team is in danger as well. All the dangers are surrounding him.
“He needs to take a very strong decision for his future right now. If I’m Maguire, I cannot see myself playing the next game.
“Ten Hag has been convinced with [Raphael] Varane and [Lisandro] Martinez – I can guarantee they will play the next game.
“And if they play well and they win again, he will never change his team. That means Maguire can spend weeks on the bench, looking at his team-mates.
“He needs to take a big decision. If he wants to play for Chelsea, that could be good for him. I think he would probably play, because Thiago Silva is aged, and they need a central defender.
“I think it’s a win-win position for Chelsea and Maguire. If I am Maguire, I would leave Manchester United.”
