Harry Maguire: Is Man Utd defender justifying Solskjaer’s faith?

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By Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford
In the second minute of injury time of Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Leicester at Old Trafford, the visitors were given a free-kick within their own half.
Kasper Schmeichel chose it. As a stressed home audience held its breath, then the Foxes keeper punted the ball deep to the edge of the home where the dozen players waited to struggle. Harry Maguire got his mind to it, leant over Jonny Evans and leapt. The chunk that was second cleared. Leicester never got into their half again.
The header of maguire was not a thing of beauty. It was near being his best moment of the match. However, on a day when United’s season was on the border and a draw could have left them at the bottom half of the table, it was hugely important.
Plus it allowed their #80m summer signing the last laugh within the Leicester fans who had been love him sing not needing him.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left Maguire his number one transfer target later viewing the play his United team.
The Norwegian identified his understanding of his leadership and the match, Maguire’s composure as features. In addition, he believes that the former Sheffield United and Hull man is a target danger, which he was against Leicester.
The charge for obtaining those attributes was too much for Manchester City, whose manager Pep Guardiola can also be an enthusiast. It ended up eclipsing the 75m Liverpool compensated Southampton for Virgil van Dijk, turning Maguire.
The deal occurred brendan Rodgers knew. The Foxes boss takes the attraction of England’s top clubs. It is reasonable to assume his players do given the warmth with. Evans, a former United player himself, chatted off as the group made their way out.
The stance isn’t one shared by the fans of Leicester. As it was read over the tannoy only under an hour they booed the name of Maguire. Since the match started, they turned with an expletive-riddled song that advised him he was welcome at the King Power Stadium, to the England defender.
„That’s what happens is not it?” said Rodgers. „The Leicester coaches, players and supporters, in the main, really respect Harry for the great job he did at Leicester. He made the movement. It was great for Leicester and that he gets the chance to live his fantasy ”
In the summer of 2018, Jose Mourinho wished to get Maguire however, United’s officials baulked in the # 70m asking price of Leicester. Presumably, Solskjaer reinforced the message, which is why they paid 12 months.
You don’t have to watch Maguire for extended – nor’ve noticed United that far over the past couple of years – to understand his inclusion is positive.
Maguire is not ideal, as Solskjaer pointed out when he identified that a header that is missed at the build-up into an David de Gea save from James Maddison. However he exudes confidence, is rarely flustered and insures the earth.
At one point around the hour markers, Demarai Gray got the rear of Ashley Young across and appeared to possess the entire of the United half in front of him. In a flash, then Maguire had seen the threat, cruising into his left to initially halt Gray using a well-timed block tackle, then recovering his balance quickly enough to get to the loose ball first, nudge his competitor from the way then stride ahead with it at his feet.
Again, it appeared benign. But if Maguire had not intervened, Gray could have proceeded to threaten the home goal.
The way it is impossible not to think at a certain point in the near future he’ll be wearing the captain’s armband as yet another defender, Nemanja Vidic, being used to do.
„Harry is a pioneer, on and off the pitch,” explained Solskjaer. „He sticks his head . When we fought to maintain the ball he slowed everything down put his foot on it.
„Against a striker such as Jamie Vardy, you have to be put on with your decision; once to measure up, when to fall back. He proved his worth today.”
Prior to a match many predicted Leicester would win – doing so could have taken them six points clear of the competitors in the early race for the European areas – it had been said United would’ve been far better off keeping Evans, who Louis van Gaal offered to West Brom for #6m at 2015, than finishing up using Maguire for more than 10 times compared to amount.
The debate is moot. For a start, Evans is just five years old. United have given Maguire in case it runs its course, a contract that extends to 2026 and the option for an extra season is triggered.
He is very much a modern-day defender. At a session throughout the warm-up before the game, ownership was taken by Maguire under stress in Daniel James, rolled the ball below his right foot, and then passed it with his own left. James was flummoxed.
In the plan Solskjaer showed to the hierarchy of United about replacing Mourinho December, when he met them, it was essential to have a presence like Maguire’s in its heart.
Watching from the stands, England boss Gareth Southgate has reached the exact same conclusion.
Maybe not that Maguire will let that – or anything else for that thing – go to his mind.
„It was essential for the win,” he said.
„We must build on a good foundation and we would like to stay clean sheets. We could have kept the ball better but we defended well.”
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