One of the Manchester United players who has often been criticised is Harry Maguire.
Harry Maguire has been on the books of Manchester United since 2019 when he joined from Leicester City.
United paid a mind-boggling £80 million for Maguire. I did not think that it was a good idea to pay £80 million for him, and I still think that the Red Devils overpaid.
The 31-year-old has not had the best of times at United over the years and is now clearly a squad player when everyone is fit and available.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are ahead of Maguire in the pecking order. Jonny Evans has also done well when he has played for the Red Devils.
Maguire has made just 13 starts in the Premier League this season and started only eight times in the league during the 2022-23 season.
Steve Bruce managed Maguire at Hull City, and the former United defender has praised the 31-year-old England international.
The former Aston Villa and Sunderland manager has backed Maguire to be part of the England starting lineup at the Euro 2024 finals and has noted how resilient he is to have overcome adversity at United.
Steve Bruce gives his verdict on Manchester United defender Harry Maguire
Bruce said about Maguire on talkSPORT (9:55 am, March 19, 2024): “I felt it had been a little bit harsh the treatment he has had. I thought he had been made a little bit of a scapegoat.
“I am always going to defend him because I know him well, I know him personally. And the kid wants to do well. He is resilient to see it through which you need at the level he is playing and what he is playing at.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he is playing for England at the Euros because Gareth trusts him and have we got anybody better?”
My View: Let’s praise Harry Maguire for his character
I do not think that Harry Maguire is a particularly great defender. If Manchester United decided to offload him at the end of the season, I do not think that a single elite club from Europe would come for him.
I am being brutally honest, but at the same time, I have to hail Maguire’s character and ability to do the best he can despite everything that has been going on around him.
Criticism of Maguire when he has made mistakes has been over the top. There have been calls for United to sell him.
The defender has endured all that and is still at Old Trafford. He works hard on the pitch and gives his all.
Maguire is not one of the best defenders in the Premier League, but he is certainly a player you can rely on to his absolute best every time he is on a football pitch.
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