Former England manager Sam Allardyce has credited Harry Maguire for restoring his reputation at Manchester United after reaching an agreement over a new contract.
Harry Maguire signed a new contract this week, which keeps him at Manchester United until 2027, with an option for an additional year.
The experienced defender, 33, has been one of the first names on the teamsheet for Michael Carrick since the change of management in January after Ruben Amorim was dismissed.
Maguire is among the players who have benefited from Carrick’s switch in formation because United struggled defensively when instructed to play in a back-three system under Amorim.
Harry Maguire and Jason Wilcox in the gym
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Sam Allardyce highlights Harry Maguire’s professionalism
Maguire’s popularity is currently at an all-time high, which means he redeemed himself after a difficult few years at Old Trafford.
There was a time when Maguire was a scapegoat at United, after costing the club a lot of money and having the captain’s armband taken from him by Erik ten Hag.
Maguire was linked with a move to West Ham in the summer of 2023, but just two months into the following season, Ten Hag was forced to bring the defender back into the team due to an injury crisis.
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This led to Maguire’s redemption as he turned things around by performing at a high level and scoring unforgettable winners last year against Lyon and Liverpool.
It could be argued that Ten Hag would have been sacked sooner if not for Maguire’s important contributions, because Matthijs de Ligt, whom the Dutchman signed, has had his struggles with injuries.
Even though Amorim’s back-three system backfired more times than not, Maguire excelled, but he has performed even better under Carrick.
Speaking on the Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Sam Allardyce hailed Maguire’s professionalism and drew comparisons to how Cristiano Ronaldo behaved once things weren’t going his way at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo fell out with Ten Hag after seeing his game time cut, before setting up an infamous interview with Piers Morgan to badmouth the club.
Allardyce said: “Well, he’s the most patient man in football, the way he’s been treated, and I think that going from the England captain to being almost destroyed by the manager at Man United, and no matter what he did or what he tried to do, Man United weren’t great at centre-half at the time.
“I wouldn’t say the centre-halves they chose were so much better than Harry Maguire. And that put his England place under threat.
“And then it took its toll on him. It took him a long, long time. Kept his mouth shut, didn’t come out and criticise, didn’t come out and say, I’m off. You know, you’re in a position, you know, Ronaldo did it as soon as he wanted to leave.
“Went viral like many players do. You know, not turning up and that. So never any of that. And of course, his love for Man United in the end, he must have loved the club that much to stay and put up with that. He’s now been rewarded as soon as Carrick goes back saying, why are you not playing?”
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Harry Maguire will be gutted to miss Leeds clash
Maguire has started every game since Carrick became interim head coach.
However, that run will come to an end against Leeds on Monday night due to suspension.
The Yorkshire-born defender, who graduated from Sheffield United’s academy, scored at Elland Road during his time as captain of the Red Devils.
Maguire has played against Leeds for four different clubs, while he sat on the bench when Sheffield United hosted them in the 2010/11 season.
He has never lost a game against Leeds in a United shirt, winning four matches and drawing twice.
Maguire will hope to avoid a further suspension after being charged with improper conduct for arguing against his red card in United’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth last time out.
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