Former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic believes Harry Maguire's inconsistent form is the reason for his dressing room struggles.

Maguire has often been at the forefront of discontent at United, particularly last season with Cristiano Ronaldo at the club.

Maguire may be club captain, but United legend Vidic believes the defender cannot command the team's respect if he is putting in poor performances himself.

During an appearance on ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand 's FIVE YouTube channel, he stated: Maguire has a problem because he doesn't perform well. When you don't perform well it's difficult to say to someone what to do.

I think that Maguire is doing well for the national team, he was great for Leicester. But obviously, he's struggling to perform for Manchester United the way he's performing for other clubs.

It's difficult to gain that type of respect, it's nothing against Maguire now. In general, any captain has to be first, has to show an example, has to play well and has to fight for the club and then everybody else will do it."

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pacers' Pascal Siakam leads team to Game 6 win vs. Knicks
Watch: Matt Duchene's 2OT winner sends Stars to conference final
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Report: Tua Tagovailoa away from Dolphins amid contract chatter
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Late goal sends Panthers to Eastern Conference Finals
Ex-teammate of Shohei Ohtani placed bets with same illegal bookmaker as interpreter 
Former Rams first-round pick retires from NFL after 11 seasons
Insider provides major injury update on Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis
Watch: Bruins strike first in Game 6 with incredible backhand goal
Dodgers make series of moves involving notable players
Hurricanes not expected to re-sign defenseman, center
Maple Leafs tab former Stanley Cup winner as new head coach
NFL insider expands on competition between Steelers QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
NFL sets outrageous prices for Eagles-Packers Brazil game
Broncos 'very unlikely' to bring back former NFL interceptions leader
Greg Olsen offers broadcasting advice to Tom Brady

Want more United news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.