Sheffield United’s concerning allegation against the former Luton Town player “sums up” Blades’ summer transfer business.
The Republic of Ireland international was given a four-year contract by the Blades, who also added Japhet Tanganga, Nils Zatterstrom, and the seasoned Ben Mee as centre backs in the summer.
But like the rest of the team at Bramall Lane, the 24-year-old hasn’t had the best start. He plays for a team that is surprisingly at the bottom of the Championship table, and after being demoted with Cardiff City and Luton in the previous two seasons, there will be concern that a third straight may be on the horizon. Jimmy from the Blades Ramble YouTube channel, one of our Sheffield United fan pundits, told us what he thought of the deal thus far, and it’s not exactly a very positive reference for the former Arsenal player.
Jimmy stated in an interview with Football League World: “Mark McGuinness, in my opinion, encapsulates our summer transfer window. He’s a decent signing, in my opinion. In my opinion, he is a mediocre Championship defender rather than a brilliant one. He has been consistent. He contributes specific attributes that make us better. I think his aerial skills are excellent. He is a large, commanding figure in the rear.
However, you must offset it by surrounding him with people who are a little bit more mobile because he is also fairly slow. That is present in [Japhet] Tanganga. We needed someone in that role, so it hasn’t been a bad signing for Sheffield United. Has he blown me away, though? No, he hasn’t. “Yes, to be honest, I haven’t been convinced by him yet.” Although McGuinness, who is only 24 years old, has experience much beyond his years when he arrives at Bramall Lane, the past few seasons have not been good despite the £10 million he paid to move between Cardiff and Luton.
Although defenders his age are frequently still getting used to the senior level, McGuinnness has already participated in 131 Championship games. Despite having two relegations on his resume, he did well enough on his own to earn two respectable transfers, so that doesn’t happen by chance. The talent is there, and once things have calmed down for the Blades, it might be seen as a wise investment. However, at the moment, it is a challenging environment for any professional to succeed in, not least the younger group.
With 10 games left in the season and the return of Chris Wilder not showing immediate progress, the Blades are already on their second manager after the Ruben Selles experiment was declared a complete failure. They’re not just a little off the boil; they’re dead last in the table, behind even fierce rivals Sheffield Wednesday, who are going through one of the most trying times in their club’s history. During this turbulent time, they’ve only managed one win in nine games, with every other game ending in a loss.
It might be challenging to adjust to a new team, particularly if you’re a younger defender who recently went through relegation with your old team. When turmoil reigns throughout the club and your new team is also thrown into an early survival war, it becomes much more difficult. Even though he has lost four games since joining United, McGuinness has been picked from the starting lineup five times since his arrival, demonstrating that people believe in him. He must now reward Wilder with stronger performances.
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