Rafael van der Vaart brands Germany defender Niklas Sule 'the German Harry Maguire'

Rafael van der Vaart tore into Niklas Sule by labelling him 'the German Harry Maguire'.

Borussia Dortmund defender Sule had a tournament to forget for Germany as they were sent home early for the second consecutive World Cup.

Playing at right-back in the opening defeat to Japan, the ex Bayern Munich man was arguably at fault for both goals after not tracking runs correctly and trying to play offside.

But even when playing at centre-back Sule still struggled. He was outwitted by Spain's Alvaro Morata in the 1-1 draw, before some hesitance led to a Manuel Neuer own goal against Costa Rica on Thursday night.

Image: Alamy

Germany went on to win 4-2 by a controversial winner by Japan against Spain meant they finished third and were eliminated at the group stage.

And the 6ft 5 defender has been slammed by former Real Madrid and Spurs midfielder Van der Vaart, who compared him to Maguire, another player he has gone after previously.

"Germany have a problem in defence," the former Netherlands international said on NOS.

"Sule is not world-class. He is the German Harry Maguire."

On Maguire, Van der Vaart had claimed, "When I go to see an amateur club on Sunday I can find three players who can play like him."

On a separate occasion, he also joked the Manchester United skipper tells his wife, "I'm so sh*t at football but I earn so much".

But while Maguire has struggled in a United shirt and found himself out of the side under Erik ten Hag, he's still been performing exceptionally well for England.

Image: Alamy

Named in the team of the tournament in the Euros, he has been one of England's best players in the Qatar World Cup and helped keep two clean sheets out of three group games.

And so when Van der Vaart made such a comment, he was met by a flurry of angry responses from fans.

One fan wrote: "Harry Maguire is world class for his national team."

Another commented: "Honestly, this is not fair with Harry Maguire."

A third added: "He obviously hasn’t seen Maguire for his country."

A fourth said: "Harsh to Maguire he’s been one of the best CB this tournament."