Premier League pundit Paul Merson admits apologising to Manchester United captain Harry Maguire after past commentary.

Merson was asked his thoughts on Maguire's transfer from Leicester City to Manchester United in the summer of 2019. He duly said what was on his mind – that Maguire was a decent enough player, but the £80 million fee was “ridiculous" – and the video of his impassioned critique has been trending across social media on and off for the past three years.

“I don't want to be right on that – I'd rather be wrong," he told the Sunday World.

“I want England to win the World Cup and Harry Maguire to get the winning goal. It was just my opinion. I rang up Brendan Rodgers and said, 'Can you get me Harry Maguire's number?' I didn't feel comfortable with myself. I needed to ring him and say, 'I don't agree with the £80 million but I shouldn't have said that and I'm sorry'. I went a little bit too far.

“He couldn't believe it. Probably thought it was a joke. I don't think he has had a fair crack. He's struggling and he's playing on the left when he's right-footed."