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    [FREE TO READ] Harry Maguire interview: ‘I’m arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes’
    Manchester United

    [FREE TO READ] Harry Maguire interview: ‘I’m arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes’


    It has become a cliche to say that the Manchester United shirt weighs heavily on some players, but it is a cliche because there is a fundamental truth to it.

    Few have come to understand that truth more intimately than Harry Maguire – through his own experience, and seeing it on the other side of the dressing room.

    “I see a lot of players come into this club and, quite frankly, it’s just too big for them,” he says. “The eyes on, the scrutiny, the analysis. Every goal that goes in, it’s someone’s fault.”

    Does the defender believe what he experienced would have broken most players? “Yeah, probably. There’ll be a lot who want to maybe just close the book and just go elsewhere and restart their career,” he says. “It’s probably broken them a little bit earlier.”

    What separates Maguire from those others is that he did not break or close that book. He stayed, he survived, and is still not going anywhere.

    Not for another year at least.

    by TheAthletic

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    36 Comments

    4. Kutukuprek on

      Getting his head big again.

      OK I know it is always big, but you know what I mean.

    5. thebyrned on

      Idiots love to carry on the Maguire memes, everything he’s gone through to be where he is now. He is a top top defender and a united legend. Mentality monster.

    6. Rekt60321 on

      Quite possibly. It’s just been the in-between both boxes that has been the main part of the problem this last few years

    7. avadam123 on

      Fully agree. When we’re chasing a last minute winner or defending a win you want Harry to be on the pitch to win the crosses. His aerial threat is probably the best in the prem along with gabriel

    8. PaulaDeen21 on

      Objectively he’s absolutely correct.

      But how he actually means it… let’s chill Harry shall we.

    11. Forgettable39 on

      For a long time I knew him in the opposition box at least as 50p head. Under like Ole? He would get his head on so many corners but literally was free for all as to direction the ball would end up going in. Nice when you can see someone improve at something over time and its like an objective, measurable progression in a skill ’cause now he’s class at getting it on target or very close.

    18. Eleven918 on

      In the air he’s second to none. On the ground it’s a bit sus vs a faster opponent but he’s not mistake prone.

    24. liamthelad on

      It’s some claim but I actually agree.

      With space in behind, there’s obvious flaws to his game. But in the box, he’s either going to block, tackle or head that ball.

      Genuinely don’t think there’s a better defender aerially in Europe’s top five leagues at the moment. He’s England’s top ever goalscoring defender, and did it in about half the caps it took John Terry to do it.

    25. slithered-casket on

      It’s super cool to hate on Maguire. He’s big, slow and lumbering looking, but when you actually look at his influence on matches he’s regularly one of the most important players at United.

      This extension was a no-brainer. Great player, mucho respect. Has eventually justified the big price tag IMO.

    27. Minh252 on

      Saw him at Wembley against Japan and arguably his headers are the biggest threat to Japan that match.

    29. bladibla26 on

      I’d say he is, between the boxes he struggles with pace etc, once he’s arrived he’s a monster

    30. Tinganga on

      Tuchel would be daft not to take him to the WC. Sure he’s got his starters set but when you need to defend a 1 goal lead & the opposition is spamming crosses into your box, there’s no better player to mop up everything in the air & he’s also very good at blocking shots. On the other hand, when you’re chasing a goal, there’s probably no better hail mary to send on to attack crosses, corners & freekicks. No brainer. 

    34. FranciscoGarcia69 on

      Never been happier to be wrong about a player. When West Ham were trying to sign him I thought it was better for everyone if he went. He’s more than proved me wrong. Good on him.

    35. laflux on

      For where we are he’s good enough. To transition between being a Top 4 contender/FA Cup/Carabao club to going for the Premier League/CL we need somewhat better.

      But credit to him. He is kept his head down and improved, and helped us with some clutch goals.