The situation is reversed for Maguire

Three years ago, a gloomy atmosphere surrounded Harry Maguire's future at the Theatre of Dreams. Amid speculation that Erik ten Hag was on the verge of joining Manchester United, the question of the expensive English centre-back's role in the new team became the focus of debate.

How Maguire saved himself

In a quiet cafe on the outskirts of Enschede, Netherlands, a close friend of Ten Hag, who had the opportunity to work with him in the past, made some astute comments about the “Red Devils” defense. Luke Shaw naturally holds the position of left-back, but the problem at the center of the defense is really difficult.

Lisandro Martínez, Ajax’s rising star at the time, was targeted for the left-sided centre-back position, a preferred choice for Ten Hag with his combination of a deft left foot and a fiery fighting spirit. And the right-sided centre-back position? When Maguire’s name was mentioned, his friend’s eyes flickered with skepticism.

"No. He's not fast enough," he said bluntly. "Erik always favours centre-backs who can move quickly."

Ten Hag's first season ended with Maguire making just 18 Premier League appearances, a modest return given his status and record transfer fee. It seemed like a reluctant "concession".

Fifteen months later, just days before Manchester United were to leave for their pre-season tour of the United States, a fateful phone call from Ten Hag’s office dealt a blow to Maguire’s pride. The armband, a symbol of trust and responsibility, was handed to Bruno Fernandes.

This decisive move, undeniably, sent a clear message about Maguire's future at the club. West Ham United expressed interest, but Maguire, with admirable professionalism, accepted the change and committed himself to the red shirt.

Maguire continuously scores important goals for MU.

Two years after that difficult moment, a bright new chapter opened in Maguire's career under the guidance of Ruben Amorim. The one-year contract extension is a testament to the trust that the board and fans have placed in him.

More importantly, turning-point goals have become Maguire's signature during this period. A typical example is the breathtaking 120+1 minute goal against Lyon in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals on April 18, a match that he himself had to exclaim was "the strangest and craziest game" he had ever experienced.

Difficult journey

However, Maguire's road back to the top has not been a bed of roses. A few months after losing the captaincy, the former Leicester City centre-back was booed by his own fans during a pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao in Dublin.

The previous season was a sad memory for him. Lacking consistency in form and struggling to find a suitable playing style, Maguire sometimes became too cautious, but also at times took risks with somewhat "awkward" technical handling, as if trying to prove an image different from his forte.

Those close to Maguire have admitted that he looked as if he was “playing with an invisible burden on his shoulders”. At the end of a disappointing season, a calf injury denied Maguire the chance to participate in the Euros. But in 2024/25, under the direction of Amorim, a strong “rebirth” took place.

Maguire is still valuable.

While there have been some shaky moments, particularly against Liverpool, Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion, they have been overshadowed by some impressive performances. The powerful header against Lyon, the precious stoppage-time equaliser against Porto, the winner against Ipswich Town, the late winner against Leicester City and the excellent display against Fulham in January are all examples.

The biggest change in Maguire is his ability to make better decisions on the pitch. In extra time against Lyon, when both players and spectators were at their physical limits, a dangerous cross from the right wing put the United defense in an alarming situation.

In that situation, Maguire had the advantage of being closer to the ball than Rayan Cherki. However, he did not rush into the dispute. Instead, Maguire realized that Cherki would touch the ball first, so he proactively retreated to maintain a more solid defensive position and close in on his opponent.

Maguire then cleverly used his body to block the ball, which hit his hip. The move showed Maguire's high concentration and intelligent handling of the situation in a match that saw Manchester United go through many different emotions.

"That game was quite similar to my time at this club, really," Maguire said with a relieved smile. "I've had great moments and bad moments, but scoring the winning goal was a great feeling."

There is no denying that the switch to a three-man defence has brought clear benefits to Maguire, especially when he has a partner with the pace and ability to read situations well like Leny Yoro by his side. Especially in the European arena, where United have more time and space to control the ball, Maguire can confidently push forward with the ball at his feet, making long passes with great accuracy. It was from such a situation that, after breaking out of the three-man defence, he made a sharp pass down the wing to Diogo Dalot, contributing to doubling the gap for United.

Amorim's changes help MU revive their form.

One notable detail after Maguire's impressive performance against Lyon was that he did not "rest on his laurels". Instead, the player had sincere praise for his teammates, especially Yoro, the 19-year-old rookie from Lille, who has gradually asserted his place in the squad after unfortunate injuries.

"I thought Leny was fantastic again," Maguire said, matter-of-factly and respectfully. "In both games I would say he was our best player, so congratulations to Leny."

From a player who was doubted, criticized and even stripped of the captaincy, Harry Maguire has proven one important thing in football: perseverance, fighting spirit and the ability to adapt can help a player overcome any difficulties. His remarkable recovery is not only an inspiring personal story but also a positive signal for Manchester United in their journey to regain glory.

Now, Maguire no longer carries the "burden" of the past on his shoulders, but is striding with the confidence of a true hero.

Source: https://znews.vn/tinh-the-dao-nguoc-voi-maguire-post1547057.html