Maguire became the world’s most expensive defender of all time when he joined Manchester United from Leicester City for £80million in the summer.
But former Arsenal star Merson made it clear on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday programme he felt the fee was far too high for the England international.
“Harry Maguire for £80m is ridiculous,” Merson said on Saturday.
“It’s ridiculous at the highest level. He’s alright. He’ll improve them but at £80m?
“You’ve got to remember yeah, he ripped it up with England – he played in a three.
“When you play in a three at the back you play in a three at the back for one reason only – the defenders aren’t good enough so you have to play three, because you don’t trust them, so you play three defenders. He did well at England.”
Maguire has since made his Premier League debut for United, putting in a man of the match performance in the 4-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.
And Merson has now decided his comments on the defender were harsh.
Appearing on The Debate on Monday evening, Merson says he has attempted to contact Maguire to apologise.
“I thought he was steady [against Chelsea],” Merson said.
“He’s commanding, he’s got that presence, he looks like a centre-half, he doesn’t mess about. I thought he did very well, I did.
“I thought I was very critical of him on Saturday if I’m being honest, on Soccer Saturday.
“I tried to get hold of him today, I’ll talk to him tomorrow, he text me back.
“I thought I was a bit critical if I’m being honest.
“I thought what I wanted to say didn’t really come across the way I thought he should have.
“I thought it was a lot of money but I sort of didn’t give him the credit he deserves of how good he is.
“I was brought up in a day where it was ‘clear your lines’, a Tony Adams or a John Terry or someone like that.
“I was a bit disrespectful in that way, he’s played in a World Cup semi-final, he’s an international.
“I was out of order and I’ll be the first to admit that.”
