Ex-Italy defender Cannavaro backs Man Utd's Harry Maguire.

Cannavaro says that Maguire has 'no fear' and 'takes responsibility,' but needs to be ruthless.

Cannavaro hails Maguire and urges the United captain to be ruthless [GETTY]

Harry Maguire has continued to receive plenty of criticism from fans and pundits for his performances at Old Trafford this season, and Italy great Fabio Cannavaro has backed the Manchester United captain to bounce back to form.

The ex-Real Madrid defender Cannavaro also pinpointed what Maguire needs to improve in his all-round display going forward.

The 28-year-old, who has had a below-par start to the 2021-22 season for United, scored twice during the international break and kept two clean sheets for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions.

Maguire played alongside Manchester City's John Stones and was a different player from the one who has been playing at the Theatre of Dreams this term.

"Stones and Maguire have shown interesting things in recent years," the ex-Juventus and Inter Milan defender Cannavaro told The Sun.

"They can both play football, defend and fear no one. They are good individually and with the rest of the backline.

"They are points of reference for Manchester City and Man United — and undoubtedly the two best English defenders."

On what Maguire and Stones can improve on, Cannavaro added: "When the going gets tough, they take responsibility and are not afraid of trying new things.

"But Chiellini still embodies the spirit of the Italian defender and that level of concentration needed to stop a striker in a difficult moment.

"Maguire and Stones play a totally different type of football and may lack a nasty streak at times. Which Giorgio has."

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