Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to strip Harry Maguire of the Manchester United captaincy because he isn't 'a good fit' and the decision to promote him 'didn't make any sense,' claims former United title winner Paul Parker.
Maguire was elevated to the role of captain following the departure of Ashley Young to Inter Milan back in January 2020.
The £80million defender - a world record fee for his position - is an established international with England but for Parker, he doesn't suit the profile required to captain a club as big as Manchester United.
'Manchester United gave Harry Maguire the captain's armband too early,' Parker said.
'It surprised a lot of people, it didn't make any sense and it hasn't been a good fit from day one.
'With captains, it isn't about who has the biggest transfer fee or who's the best player. There's much more to it than that.
'He isn't the right player to be a captain of Manchester United at this moment in time and he has a lot in his game that needs rectifying.'
Maguire drew criticism following the 5-0 humiliation at home to Liverpool in which he said he was 'only here because I have to be' in his post-match press conference.
United's form has been woeful this season and they go into the international break sat sixth in the Premier League.
Six defeats in their last 12 in all competitions has ramped up pressure on Solskjaer and his players with Parker among those questioning whether Maguire is repaying the club's sizeable investment.
Parker, speaking to BonusCodeBets added: 'The amount of money that Manchester United paid for Maguire was far too much.
'They wanted to buy him, made a big song and dance about the fee and then they followed through and actually paid it.
'People say he had a great summer for England but his only real test was in the final against Italy, and he was found wanting against them positionally.'