Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire was the unlikely subject of mockery in the Ghanaian parliament on Wednesday.
A politician from the African country used a comparison to the centre-back’s defensive mishaps at Old Trafford to attack his opponent’s handling of the economy.
According to The Mirror, the politician was Isaac Adongo of the National Democratic Party, and his tirade was launched against Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party.
“Harry Maguire, he's a defender. He was tackling everybody and throwing his body everywhere. He was seen as the best defender in the world, Manchester United went and bought him,” Adongo said.
"He became the biggest threat at the centre of the Manchester United defence, tackling Manchester players and giving assists to opponents.
“Mr Speaker, when the opponents fail to score, Maguire will score for them."
This line was met with raucous laughter from the politicians present, and Adongo soon turned his attack towards his political rival.
"Mr Speaker, you remember in this country we also have an economic Maguire. This economic Maguire, we're clapping saying this man is the best in managing foreign terms," Adongo said.
"The same economic Maguire was at Central University delivering lectures on how to restore the value of the Cedi (Ghana’s currency).
“Mr Speaker why we gave this Maguire the opportunity to be at the centre of our defence, he became the risk of our own goal.”
Maguire is currently on duty with England at World Cup 2022, where he has been widely praised for his performances.
The United player has started all three of the Three Lions’ games, helping them finish top of Group B and earn two clean sheets in a row to set up a last 16 tie against Senegal.
