Few people would have thought that two men who didn’t seem to have a future under Erik ten Hag would end up playing such an important role in the next season when Manchester United seemed to be interested in signing them last summer.
Nine goals is more than any other player except Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund. Erik ten Hag is where he is now because of how late he came on to help his team beat Brentford, Chelsea, and Aston Villa.
West Ham tried to get McTominay last summer. Harry Maguire was the same way. In fact, Hammers manager David Moyes said in August that the Londoners had seen a £30 million offer for the England player accepted.
There may not have been as many memorable moments for Maguire as there were for McTominay in 2023–24, but he has been Manchester United’s most reliable centre back in recent months.
Maguire was again quietly great in the last game, a 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Even though Ten Hag doesn’t know what will happen with Maguire in the long term—United is likely to make a lot of changes to their defence under Ineos—he is happy to have him on the team right now.
“You have to look at it that way.” Ten Hag tells the Manchester Evening News that they were always happy with Harry Maguire, but the 30-year-old wants to play. This is why he might leave this summer.
“He’s a great boss.” He plays defence very well. Very at ease with the ball. While we are on defence and having issues, he is even more important to lead that line and make us play from the back, when I think about all of his skills.
“So, we’re glad he’s there.” We need him to get our work done and meet our goals.
Because Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, and Raphael Varane (again) are all hurt, Maguire is expected to play in the middle of Ten Hag’s defence with Willy Kambwala, who is only 16. Liverpool play Bournemouth on Saturday night.
The two played well together against Liverpool. Maguire’s experience helped 19-year-old Kambwala get through the game on only his second Premier League start.
Steve Bruce, who used to lead Manchester United, couldn’t say enough good things about a player who, unlike a certain £73 million forward, put his head down, stuck his chest out, and helped a Man United career that looked like it was over.
“I thought the way he was treated was a bit harsh.” Steve Bruce tells talkSPORT (19 March, 9am) that he thought Maguire had been made a victim. Bruce would have been proud of how Maguire shut the door on Liverpool’s often-sloppy front line when he came off the bench on Sunday.
“I’ll always stand up for him because I know him so well.” I have met him before. The kid wants to do well. He is tough enough to see it through, which is important at the level he plays.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he played for England in the Euros. Gareth Southgate trusts him.” Also, do we have anyone better?”
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