In a recent interview, Butt stated that Maguire's struggles are not solely his responsibility, but rather a result of the team's failure to provide him with a suitable defensive partner. He pointed out that Maguire's best performances have been with England, where he has played alongside John Stones, forming a strong partnership.

Butt emphasized that a successful defensive partnership requires players with complementary skills and styles, citing examples of successful pairings at United, such as Bruce and Pallister, and Vidic and Ferdinand.

He added that Maguire has never had a suitable partner at United, which has hindered his ability to reach his full potential. The likes of Raphael Varane, Matthijs de Ligt, and Lisandro Martinez have been brought in to address the team's defensive issues, but none have been able to form a strong partnership with Maguire.

Butt's comments highlight the challenges faced by Maguire and the importance of having a solid defensive partnership to support him.