Harry Maguire was rushed back to play 90 minutes against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United’s 2-0 win against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon will not be soon forgotten by fans of the Red Devils. Michael Carrick’s return to the Old Trafford dugout will forever be marked with an unbelievable performance against one of the best sides in the Premier League.
Building on Darren Fletcher’s work, Carrick stuck with the 4-2-3-1 shape that failed to reward Fletcher with a win in either of his two outings as United boss, but the story could not be more different for United’s former No.16.
Lisandro Martínez and Harry Maguire started together for the first time since February 2025 against Crystal Palace when Martínez suffered an ACL injury. When Martínez returned to action, Maguire was out of the squad with his own injury concerns, forcing Ayden Heaven in alongside the Argentine.
While Heaven was named United’s Player of the Month for December, it was clear to see Rúben Amorim was lacking a worthwhile leader in his back three, with Matthijs de Ligt also out injured.
Maguire made his return against Burnley under Fletcher, but was an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw. The England international played just 11 minutes in the FA Cup against Brighton before his first start since the beginning of November.
Carrick confirms Maguire rush
Following the dismantling of Manchester City, Carrick confirmed that Maguire was rushed back into the starting lineup, but his experience proved vital.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “We were going into the game, and he’s literally trained two days out of 45 or so, so it was a big ask. He came on the other day for a short period of time but again hasn’t really trained a whole lot so we’ve got to manage him.
“It shows again how much it means to the boys to play, and the boys were going down with all sorts. He got through it he managed him well. He was a big presence at the back for us. he showed that immense experience.”
Carrick later expanded on Maguire’s performance, as well as his partnership with Martínez. “It was a big ask for H,” said the head coach. “I have to say, credit to him. People take it for granted sometimes what players do.
“For him to play today and come through it. It was a bit of a calculated gamble because he only trained for two or three days.
“It just shows you what it means for him. He was fantastic. Him and Licha were so solid at the back.”
Maguire in contract predicament
Maguire’s current contract was extended towards the end of last season, but it is set to expire at the end of this campaign.
Amorim may have been keen to keep Maguire for his ability in a back three, but without a long-term head coach at the club, Maguire could be left without his future secured heading into the summer.
Read More: What Michael Carrick said about Bruno Fernandes speaks volumes about Ruben Amorim mistake
Jason Wilcox may choose to offer the England international a new deal, given his impressive performance against Manchester City, but the director of football may want to hold off until the new head coach is appointed.
Carrick’s words suggest he would keep Maguire at the club, but he isn’t expected to be at the club any longer than the end of the season.
Maguire’s best chance of staying at Old Trafford could be training with the club as a free agent, as Jonny Evans did under Erik ten Hag, but that is not an option that would be favourable to the former Leicester defender.
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