Diogo Dalot made a bold claim about Manchester United’s former captain, Harry Maguire, as contract extension negotiations loom.
Manchester United’s win against Crystal Palace extended Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run as interim head coach to seven games. With six of those being wins, the side have propelled themselves into third in the Premier League.
Switching from Rúben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 has been a welcome change for the side, with the players looking much more comfortable playing a more familiar system.
The likes of Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, especially, have seen significant changes in fortune, with Mainoo playing every possible minute under Carrick after not starting once under Amorim this season, and Fernandes looking back to his prolific best further up the field.
One player who has gone under the radar is Harry Maguire, who had started just four games before Carrick took charge, and has since started every game under the interim coach.
Diogo Dalot’s bold Maguire claim
Having suffered with thigh problems towards the end of Amorim’s tenure at the club, his return to the side coincided with Carrick’s return to the dugout well, being much more comfortable playing in a back four rather than a back three.
Diogo Dalot, who has also improved after being restored to his natural right-back position, spoke about the former captain, urging the club to keep the former Leicester centre-back.
As reported by The Independent, he said, “I think he’s been showing during his career how strong he is mentally and physically and when he is in a good state of mind, and when he’s good physically with a good run of games, I think is one of the best centre-backs in the league.
“So I’m pretty sure that if he shows a good level, if it helps the team, it will be no problem for the club to keep him. It’s not my decision; ultimately, it will be between them. But we’re very happy with him.”
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Maguire adds crucial depth
Maguire, who joined United in 2019 for a world-record £80 million fee, has faced criticism throughout his time at Old Trafford, being stripped of captaincy in 2023.
The 32-year-old is out of contract in the summer, and the club risk losing their third most expensive ever signing on a free in the summer if a new deal cannot be agreed on.
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With the club confirmed to be losing Casemiro in the summer, losing a second leader in the dressing room in the same window could prove to be a costly mistake for this United side, especially given the prospect of Champions League football next season.
Naturally, Maguire will gradually be phased out of the side, with Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro waiting in the wings to pick up more regular game time.
Depth will be key next season, and having the option of Maguire, who has much-needed experience and leadership qualities that are crucial to the side, it’s essential that both parties come to some kind of agreement on an extension.
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