The World Cup is over and we return to membership soccer. Fifteen Manchester United gamers went to Qatar, one got here again with a trophy.
Various United gamers have come out of the match with their status improved, however one particularly – Harry Maguire – has come again in a blaze of glory. However ought to we be getting carried away?
As a United fan it was great to see Maguire play so properly within the competitors – he was named in Sky Sports’ staff of the Match – and a few so-called consultants corresponding to Danny Murphy at the moment are arguing that he should be restored to the United facet.
It has typically been stated that Maguire thrives for England as a result of he performs in a again three, however that was not the case on this World Cup. So, is it a case of “he’s again”? Or is it simply the England setup that brings the perfect out of him? Or is worldwide soccer only a completely different beast completely?
A bit of of every is the almost definitely reply to the query. However Maguire’s United future will depend on the proportions. How a lot of this renaissance is because of improved kind? As a result of the opposite two causes are of no use to Erik ten Hag.
Maguire abruptly hasn’t bought quicker, nor improved his turning circle. If United are to play with a excessive line, these components are essential. It appears unlikely that Ten Hag will probably be keen to sacrifice that fundamental aspect of his match technique simply to accommodate one defender, irrespective of how good he’s at what he does, and irrespective of that he’s captain.
It’s also about having a quick thoughts – being a reader of the sport. Virtually invariably, Premier League soccer is way, far quicker than worldwide soccer – certainly it’s in all probability the quickest on the planet. Is Maguire ever going to be geared up for that tempo?
He additionally turns 30 shortly, so his response velocity is just not going to get higher, and certainly may begin to decline barely.
Ten Hag has stated he desires Maguire on the membership – and why wouldn’t he? If the England man is pleased to play a bit half from the bench, being introduced on when United are beneath the cosh and defending deep, for instance, then he can be an asset.
Nevertheless it appears unlikely that Harry can be pleased to try this, his age, once more, being very related. 29 is just not the time to begin bench warming.
One of many gamers Maguire was introduced in to exchange, Chris Smalling, has excelled within the slower Serie A and it’s simple to think about that Maguire may do the identical.
Provided that it’s unlikely Ten Hag goes wherever quickly, United’s type of play is unlikely to alter a lot and so sadly, it feels as if Maguire might be the perfect defender on the planet when it comes to a selected ability set, and but stay a foul match for the Dutchman’s system.
