Harry Maguire is one of the most polarizing players in the history of Manchester United. The Englishman is the most expensive defender of all time and the captain of the club – yet many fans vehemently believe that the seasoned international shouldn’t be either.
Life can change quickly in twelve months. Not long ago, it was the end of the 2020/2021 season when Manchester United finished runners-up in both the Premier League and Europa League. Maguire played a significant role in that team’s defensive solidity, which was the foundation that allowed for the club’s progression in both of those competitions. When he missed the Europa League final, many fans claimed that if Maguire played, United wouldn’t have lost to Villarreal. Later that summer, Maguire would add another runner-up medal around his neck after losing to Italy in the European Championship. The Englishman showed fine performances across that season, with the critics deeming him one of the best players for club and country by naming him in the Europa League and the European Championship squads of the season. Following his growth and development on and off the pitch, it was apparent Maguire was the cornerstone of Ole Gunnar Solskjær‘s Manchester United reboot. Throughout that two-season stretch, he appeared to be growing into that responsibility.
Manchester United was a side that liked to defend deep and exploit space by counter-attacking when the opportunity arose. Offensively, the attack was explosive in all three positions across the front line. Defensively, both fullbacks would tuck in, protecting the slower center-halves, who were also sheltered by the Fred-McTominay double pivot. United was a tough team to break down by being an organized side that prioritized defensive shape over pressing intensity without the ball. While these tactics were effective against top sides who dominated possession, United struggled at breaking down teams of “lesser quality.” The reality was that the style in which United played didn’t suit the club’s stature. Massive clubs are expected to take the match to their opponents by controlling the game, which Manchester United didn’t do under Solskjær.
Now Old Trafford has a modern manager. One who is tactically fluid but consistent in his principles, where the whole starting eleven needs to be involved in both the offensive and defensive play of the match. Ten Hag wants to implement a style where every player needs to be exceptional across every measurable attribute. It’s proactive football in its purest form, full of relentless running and aggressive challenges, all on the front foot, boiling down to a fierce and entertaining product to watch.
Solskjær’s style hid Maguire’s weaknesses, which is juxtaposed to how Ten Hag plays, which fully exposes Maguire’s shortcomings as a defender. If Manchester United wants to dominate possession in the opponent’s half, the center-halves in possession will be just inside the halfway line, forcing them to play one-on-one with the opposition’s forwards if the other team counter-attacks. The Manchester United captain lacks the pace and game-reading intelligence to cope with this strategy. Maguire needs to be bubble-wrapped with support around him, which takes bodies out of the offensive and puts them into the defense. This hinders Ten Hag’s proactive approach, which turns the game plan into a reactive one, which is what we saw against Brighton and Brentford.
Not only is Harry Maguire impeding the tactical setup of the current squad, but according to a recent article by Adam Crafton, further indications lead to the notion that Maguire is also being impeded himself.
“A delegation of senior players approached Rangnick at United’s Carrington training base [in February, 2022]. Ronaldo was among the cohort, as were Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane… Yet Harry Maguire, the club’s captain and centre-back, was not present. Ronaldo’s messages came through loud and clear… Ronaldo also stated his view that Maguire should be demoted to the bench after a series of under-par showings. Eventually, Rangnick told the players he felt the conversation was inappropriate without Maguire present as the captain. Ronaldo retorted to say he believed Maguire was part of the problem.” – Adam Crafton, The Athletic
Imagine arguably the greatest player of all time telling your manager behind your back that you are the problem. How would that affect your confidence and ability to perform at the highest level? For most, it would completely diminish it, which is why it’s no surprise that Maguire plays with the fear and hesitance that he’s had over the last nine months. His captaincy has been completely undermined, which makes me wonder if there is any way the player can get back to his best at this club.
As a fan of Manchester United, I hope that Harry Maguire can return to form and adapt as a player to a new manager’s philosophy because that would benefit the team. Maybe it’s a good thing that Ten Hag has taken him out of the limelight by keeping him on the bench, not to scold him as a player, but rather to allow him to get his head right before he can get his performances right. Erik Ten Hag is known as an excellent tactician but also an exceptional man manager. I believe he has a plan for Maguire, and I hope that the rest of this incredible fanbase gives our captain the opportunity and platform to succeed. Nobody knows what will happen in the future transfer windows; maybe Maguire will stay, or perhaps he will go. What’s important now is that because the transfer period is over, it’s time to fully back every player in the squad in the hope of a successful season ahead. Glory Glory Man United.
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1 Comment
Great read, While Maguire hasn’t been at his best, now that the transfer window has closed it’s important to back every player in the squad. I hope this will be a good season