Wayne Rooney believes Harry Maguire should start for Manchester United
The new week in the Premier League turned disappointing for Manchester United as Manchester City beat them 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium. City showed their dominance right from the start of the game. Jeremy Doku made a brilliant move from the left flank, and Phil Foden opened the scoring with a header in the 18th minute from his cross. After this early goal, United’s defence settled briefly, but City never loosened their grip on the match.
The situation became even more difficult in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Erling Haaland finished off a fast move that Doku started and made the score 2-0. After this, United almost lost hope. In the 68th minute, United lost possession of the ball again, and Haaland quickly advanced to score his second and City’s third, sealing the victory. The result lifted City to eighth in the table, while United remained stuck in 14th place.
On the BBC after the game, Wayne Rooney questioned the team’s defensive tactics. He was particularly upset with Harry Maguire being benched. Rooney said that such an experienced player should have been given a chance from the start, as the team was lacking leadership.
“Harry should be starting. I heard Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink talking about it and how much England missed Harry Maguire at the Euros because he’s a leader. I’m sitting there thinking, how is he not playing with the three defenders who are playing? He should be in there; there’s a lack of leadership.”
Via: Daily Mail.
Harry Maguire’s position and United’s defensive challenges:
Wayne Rooney believes Harry Maguire should start for Manchester United.
Wayne Rooney wants Manchester United to play Harry Maguire regularly
The issue Manchester United supporters are debating the most now is Harry Maguire’s role. Last season under Ruben Amorim, he certainly received more chances than in the previous campaigns, but he still has not secured a regular starter. Recently, in the Carabao Cup, the 32-year-old started against Grimsby Town, scored a goal, and the match ended 2-2. In the Premier League, he appeared only as a substitute against Fulham and Arsenal, and against Manchester City, he came on in the 62nd minute.
Many fans agree with Rooney that keeping a leader like Maguire out could be costly for the team. He has performed well in a back-three system in England, but his lack of pace has often been exposed at United. The Englishman’s consistency at the club level has been questionable.
United’s biggest problem is not one player but the entire structure. Against City, the midfield failed to track opposition runners, and the defence constantly exposed itself to positional play and runs into the channels. BBC analysis showed that United’s passing routine has become more predictable for opponents. Amorim has the option to organise his pressing more and try to win the ball higher.
What’s next?
Amorim could also make the midfield structure more flexible, reduce reliance on the double pivot, and bring in a defensive midfielder who provides better coverage. Adopting a back-four in some matches could also be a way to allow the full-backs to play a balanced role. The most important aspect is that the team develops clear communication, disciplined positioning, and accurate defensive decisions.
There have been reports from within the club that Manchester United weigh the futures of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw as Ruben Amorim plans major defensive and midfield reinforcements for 2026. Meanwhile, older reports also suggest that Manchester United are unwilling to entertain offers for Harry Maguire, which shows that the club’s policies are still unclear. This contradiction is making fans more restless, and Amorim will have to make some concrete decisions in the coming weeks.