Gary Lineker has praised one Manchester United star under Ruben Amorim and thinks “he is better” than some would allow themselves to believe.
Manchester United came from behind last week to beat Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City side in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid broke the deadlock in the first half for Leicester City before Joshua Zirkzee pulled back an equaliser after the break for United.
United controversially snatched the win in the FA Cup tie in injury time, with Harry Maguire firing a header after connecting with a Bruno Fernandes free-kick.
However, VAR was not in operation for the fourth-round encounter and Harry Maguire’s winner would have been ruled out as offside if it were in action.
Ruben Amorim’s men progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup and the Red Devils will meet Fulham at Old Trafford next month in the competition.
READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson provided ultimate protection for one ‘very special’ Man Utd talent, he was ‘very important’ to him
Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United and Harry Maguire during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 press conference at Carrington ...
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Lineker’s admiration for Man Utd player
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker singled out Manchester United star Harry Maguire for what he brings to the table as a defender.
MORE UNITED STORIES
Harry Maguire managed to revive his career at Old Trafford after he was stripped of the captaincy under former Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag.
The 31-year-old United defender has impressed at times this season and has become a key part of the three-man backline in Ruben Amorim’s tactical system.
Maguire was set to be out of contract with United in the summer, but the Red Devils triggered an extension and the England star is now tied down until 2026.
Lineker insisted that fellow former Leicester City man Maguire is “terrific in both boxes” and has shown his quality as a “competitor” on the pitch.
“He is a former Leicester man as well—I think he is underrated at times,” he said, as per RedMancunian.
“I think he is better. We all know he can be caught on the turn. He is not the quickest on the turn, but he is a great competitor.
“He is good on the ball, terrific in both boxes and will get you the odd goal.”
Lineker added: “He has never let his country down when he has played—I am not going to be too begrudging of him scoring [against Leicester].”
READ MORE: Louis Saha singles out underrated Sir Alex Ferguson signing as ‘amazing’ talent, he welcomed his Old Trafford arrival
Amorim’s reaction to Maguire winner
Speaking after the Leicester match, Amorim admitted that Maguire’s winning header in injury time was offside and VAR was needed for the FA Cup tie.
“The goal was offside. We should have VAR,” he said.
“It should be here to overturn the decision because it’s hard on the opponent, it’s hard on Ruud [van Nistelrooy].
“But in the second half we managed to change the game a little bit, but the performance, we were poor in this game.
“We showed some spirit, more energy in the second half. Some players also came in and helped the team, so it was a good result.”