Harry Maguire has sent a message to Rúben Amorim about his playing time after Matthijs de Ligt shone in the Arsenal defeat at Old Trafford.
Harry Maguire’s time at Manchester United has not been easy. Signed under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, he was almost immediately handed the captain’s armband and given the difficult task of leading the club back to the top.
For the first two years, the former Leicester City defender was one of United’s best players, and he played a key role in guiding the Red Devils to the Europa League final against Villarreal. But an injury against Aston Villa kept him from featuring in the final, which United eventually lost on penalties.
Then came the difficult times, Solskjær was sacked, and Maguire was stripped of the captaincy for Bruno Fernandes. Erik ten Hag’s side lost embarrassingly against Brentford, and Maguire was blamed for much of the poor form.
With Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martínez ahead of him, it was difficult for the former captain to play regularly until Rúben Amorim took charge. Maguire became a regular starter in the back three and played a key role last season.
His late winner against Olympique Lyonnais will never be forgotten by those lucky enough to be at Old Trafford that day, and Maguire is now a respected option in Amorim’s defence.
Maguire sends clear message to Amorim over game time
Maguire was finally starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel and a way back into the first team, but Matthijs de Ligt was chosen ahead of him for the Premier League opener against Arsenal.
The English central defender was named in Amorim’s six-man leadership team earlier in the summer, and he doesn’t seem worried about the competition for places in defence, as he revealed in an interview with the BBC.
He has also pointed out that, even though him and De Ligt are challenging for a spot in the middle of the back three, they have both showed that they can play in those wide positions too.
“I’ve always done that,” said Maguire when asked about his role in the leadership team. “So it’s not something I’ll start now just because I’m in this leadership group. “Besides, I’m going to be playing a lot of games from the start. I know that.”
“Yes, me and Matthijs have been playing that central role, but also we can play either side in the back three as well. I’ve done that for England and he has done it numerous times for the Netherlands as well.”
“There’s competition for places all over the pitch and I think that’s healthy in the squad.” Maguire will be hoping for one of his better seasons in a red shirt, with the squad just focusing on the domestic competitions this season.
Amorim must take United back to Europe
United’s 15th place in the Premier League will not be tolerated again. Amorim was let off because he took charge mid-season, and he will not be allowed to finish so poorly again.
This year represents a brilliant opportunity for United, as they can spend more time on the training pitch and less time travelling between different countries between games. Every other side fighting for European football doesn’t have that luxury.
With this opportunity, Amorim needs to take United back into Europe for next season. With more time for the squad to learn the system, there is no excuse for another poor season.
United belong at the top of the Premier League, fighting for the Champions League; significant progress needs to be made this season, or Amorim may not get the time he needs.
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