Harry Maguire joined Kobbie Mainoo on the list of enforced absentees against Leeds, and his bold claim got vindicated in a bittersweet manner.
While Kobbie Mainoo’s absence was down to injury, Harry Maguire was suspended after being sent off against Bournemouth.
The chance to make a solid impression after signing a new contract during the break was taken away from him, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t in the headlines.
The 2-1 loss against Leeds vindicated his bold claim in the lead-up to the game, but it would have left him with a bittersweet feeling.
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Harry Maguire’s bold claim vindicated in Man Utd vs Leeds
Maguire has always been a player who goes about his business professionally and rarely makes a fuss about how good he is.
He lets his game do the talking for him, which is why Man Utd fans were surprised to see another side of him in the recent 24-day break.
Maguire lauded himself as one of the “best in the world” when it comes to defenders in both boxes, a claim that is bold to make for a 33-year-old player.
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He had developed an unfair reputation as a lightning rod for disrespect, but against Leeds, that claim got vindicated loudly.
Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro were dominated by Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the air and on the ground, while United’s own threat on set-pieces looked minimised.
The game was screaming out for a Maguire-like presence in the early stages as well, when the players needed to be calmed down and put into a rhythm.
He has become a player who makes others better as good as he is on his own, and that’s an invaluable trait, especially in a derby game.
Maguire will feel bittersweet vindication
The only catch for Maguire is that he would have wanted to feel vindicated by dropping a good performance.
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Instead, the team vindicated his claim by struggling badly in his absence, thereby proving his importance to the team.
Even when Maguire has been bombastic about his credentials, his first thoughts have always been about what’s good for the club.
It was reflected in his aim for the club after signing the extension, so he would be feeling bittersweet after the Leeds game.
Yes, his importance to the team came to the fore, but it happened because he was absent, and the team lost. Ask Maguire, and he would choose three points over his own reputation every day of the week.
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