Why once out-of-favour Maguire still deserves his place at Manchester United

Manchester United go into arguably their most important season in recent times looking to banish the memories of the past few campaigns.

One of the most storied clubs in world football have, when all is said and done, been reduced to a laughing stock thanks to a number of short-sighted and poor decisions.

Glazer family can't be held wholly responsible for Man Utd's woes

Supporters will consistently suggest that all roads point to the Glazer family in terms of why the Red Devils find themselves in a hole that they're desperate to dig themselves out of, and whilst that may be partly true, they can't be held responsible for how poorly some of the signings have fared on the pitch.

That falls squarely on the shoulders of the sporting director and first-team manager - and of course the players themselves.

Pulling on the famous red shirt should be more than enough motivation to offer up one's best work, but it's astonishing just how many players have underperformed for United over recent years.

One player who has seemingly turned his entire career around at Old Trafford is Harry Maguire.

Back in 2020, a desperate United loss against Crystal Palace prompted former Eagles chairman turned pundit, Simon Jordan, to espouse: "Harry Maguire turns like an ocean liner and you see that in an instant – an £80 million footballer who can’t move."

Criticism of Harry Maguire was vitriolic and extensive

Jordan's criticism of the England centre-back was vitriolic and extensive, and no doubt played into a narrative that the player just wasn't cut out for the demands of the modern game.

Costing an eye-watering £80m too - still the Premier League's most expensive defender - from Leicester in 2019, it was clear that United weren't going to cash in so soon.

However, the now 32-year-old looked to be heading out of the Theatre of Dreams under Erik ten Hag, after the club had accepted a bid for Maguire's services from West Ham in 2023.

To the defender's credit, and despite losing the captaincy and his place in the United starting XI, he refused to entertain a move away and preferred to fight for his place.

It's a fight that's paid off handsomely.

Maguire deserves his place in the United squad

After playing just 762 minutes in Ten Hag's first season, he's gone on to re-establish himself despite competition from the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and others.

In 2024/25, 27 games played in the Premier League is much more in-keeping with what Maguire undoubtedly envisioned when refusing to up sticks and move to London.

40 interceptions made is well short of his best season at the club - 72 during 2019/20 - but is also his best return in all bar one season since then.

Harry Maguire Touch Map - Premier League 2024/25Opta by Stats Perform

It's a similar story with regards to tackles. 30 made in 2024/25 (league games only) doesn't sound an awful lot, though is better than the past few years.

What might surprise many is just what an accomplished passer of the ball Maguire is.

Only once in the last eight years has his completion statistic dropped below 80% - a 78.4% showing for Leicester in 2017/18.

Harry Maguire Pass Map - Premier League 2024/25Opta by Stats Perform

During his entire Man Utd career he has hovered around the mid to late 80s for pass completion, going as high as an astonishing 94% during last season's Community Shield fixture.

Another area in which he excels are in one-on-one duels, either aerially or on the ground.

For example, 80% success on the floor in last season's League Cup fixture against Barnsley was a reminder of his quality, whilst 830 aerial duels won from 1155 contested in domestic competition across his time at the club is another fine return for a player who is still much maligned in certain quarters.

Warrior spirit can't be replicated

Perhaps the one thing that can't be replicated or replaced is his warrior spirit. Say what you like about the way that Maguire plays the game but no one can deny that every team would be more than willing to have a player such as he.

A player that is willing to go the extra mile for the cause and consistently put his body on the line.

He isn't the most skilful defender in the world it's true, and that is shown up more than ever in a modern game which exalts those who can elegantly bring the ball out of defence and play 'Hollywood' balls across the pitch.

But that's never been the bedrock of Maguire's game and that's always been good enough for those clubs who've signed him over the years. 

Even if one considers him something of a throwback, as he's shown time and again of late there's still a place for him in today's game.

That Man Utd have apparently turned down five offers for him this summer would suggest he has earned the respect and admiration of Ruben Amorim and will continue at the Red Devils for the foreseeable future.

Jason PettigroveFlashscore