James Maddison to Manchester United? It would be a massive mistake

Leicester City midfielder James Maddison has been linked with a move to Manchester United for a while – but would it be the right move?

There’s only one answer to it: absolutely not. You do not have to look any further than the league table, or perhaps the state of the higher-ups responsible for this mess.

Even if we ignore all of that, why would you, as one of the world’s best young players, want to play for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? With all due respect, where does he even rank among the world’s best?

Securing a 0-0 draw against Liverpool or beating Manchester City in what is turning out to be their worst season since 2016/17, does not imply that “United are back” or that Ole is a world-class gaffer – it does not really imply anything.

Weren’t they “back” when they beat Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League? We know what happened next.

This is not to take anything away from them. They have played the ‘Big Six’ really well but ultimately, it is the league table that matters. It is that table that has them closer to 20th place than to Liverpool.

They are only a point closer to City than they are to 18th-placed Southampton. They are only a point closer to Leicester than they are to 20th-placed Watford. This is the reality – it’s where they are right now.

If you’re talking of overall progress, then the current United aren’t a far cry from the shambles of the previous season.

So any suggestion than United are reaching the top level is baseless. They are far from a top club and had Arsenal not been so incorrigibly terrible, United would be the worst of the ‘Big Six’.

ESPN’s Shaka Hislop feels much the same and has warned Maddison against leaving for Old Trafford.

"“My question here is why does Maddison go to Manchester United right now?” Hislop said on ESPN FC.“I accept that you’ll make more money at Manchester United but I think that’s a little bit of a short-termism view.“In general with the football Leicester City continue to play, we expect them to finish in the top four.“That means Champions League football and a greater exposure on a greater platform.“It doesn’t make sense right now.”"

Indeed. It does not make sense, especially when Leicester are everything that the Red Devils want to be: a top team with top players and a top manager.

Maddison stays here and he could be a part of something very special – money will inevitably come, too. He leaves and he risks wasting his potential.

Whereas United are more about hype, Leicester are the real deal. Rest, Maddison is 22 and mature enough to know what’s best for him.