Harry Maguire is a key player for Man Utd this season and is showing the form that will make him one of the best defenders in Europe in 2021.
UEFA’s report on Euro 2020 has a comment about a central defender appearing in the tournament’s representative team: “Shows good leadership and reading of the game, often advances into midfield, passes the ball through routes and appears dangerous in set situations.”
To some, that text describing Harry Maguire may seem like a joke. But that’s completely true. Two years ago, the Manchester United player was considered one of the best central defenders in Europe.
Ironically, 2 years after appearing in the Euro 2020 final with the England team, he became a laughing stock in the soccer world. Maguire was not only booed by fans but also laughed at. Things are getting worse for Maguire’s career.
Maguire suffered an ankle injury on May 9, 2021, causing him to miss the last 4 matches in the Premier League. Man Utd lost 2 and only won 1 of them. Maguire’s fitness is in doubt before the Europa League final against Villarreal on May 26. Red Devils fans expect Maguire to be healthy.
In the end, Maguire could not play, but was still on the reserve list. Despite the injury, coach Gareth Southgate still called Maguire up to participate in the Euro 2020 finals, which was delayed a year. He missed the first 2 matches of the tournament but played excellently to enter the representative team.
However, Maguire’s decline happened quickly. He was criticized in the disastrous 2-4 defeat to Leicester City in mid-October. Since then, Maguire has suffered a lot of criticism and his position has dropped so low that Erik ten Hag wants to sell him to West Ham in the summer of 2023. .
However, Giorgio Chiellini always appreciated Maguire. The Italian midfielder said in September 2022: “I’m sad for Maguire’s situation because he is a good player.
They demand too much from Maguire. Just because they pay £80 million does he have to be the best player in the world every game? It’s not true. The value of the market depends on many aspects that you cannot control. It’s not your fault.”
Maguire’s refusal to move to West Ham has now become a stroke of luck for Ten Hag. He started 9 consecutive matches in all competitions, the longest streak since the 2020/21 season. At this point, no one criticizes Maguire anymore.
In the 3-0 victory over Everton, Maguire once again shone brightly. After a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United a month ago, Ten Hag had a rare time praising Maguire. Moving to the right of the center of defense helps Maguire play much better.
Now Maguire shows his leadership ability, reads the game, passes the ball impressively and is always a threat in set situations. It can be seen that the image of the defender who was one of the best players in Europe in 2021 is gradually returning.