Manchester United defender Harry Maguire may have his detractors, but he is certainly highly rated by Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz.
Manchester United spent big money on centre-backs last summer as Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro arrived at Old Trafford.
United have really thrown money at the centre-back position over the years, from Eric Bailly through to Lisandro Martinez.
Victor Lindelof was a significant signing from Benfica in 2017, but the Swede will now depart Old Trafford at the end of his contract this summer.
None of those additions were quite as expensive as Harry Maguire following his 2019 move from Leicester City.
United forked out £80million for Maguire, with the England international going through a wide range of ups and downs in his six years at the club.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Premier League striker hails Manchester United’s Harry Maguire
Maguire is now approaching 250 appearances for United in all competitions and is expected to remain a key part of Ruben Amorim’s side next season.
Maguire rejected a move to West Ham United in 2023, instead deciding to stay and fight for his place.
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United’s run to the Europa League final featured late heroics from Maguire, as he headed home in the dying stages to secure victory over Lyon.
Maguire has faced major scrutiny ever since his move to United, but Amorim clearly values him highly.
Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz has now offered praise to Maguire after being asked to name the toughest defender to face in the Premier League.
Muniz told The Athletic that Maguire is right up there with Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk as the Premier League’s very best.
The Brazilian suggested that Maguire ‘doesn’t leave you in peace’, and is ‘constant’ when it comes to making contact with strikers.
Muniz feels any striker must be ‘very focused’ when facing Maguire, highlighting his physicality in duels.
“(Harry) Maguire,” said Muniz when asked to name the toughest Premier League centre-back.
“Maguire and Van Dijk would be my top two — Van Dijk gives you a bit more space. The perfect centre-back would be a mix of Maguire and Van Dijk. It’s very difficult to play against both of them. Both have so much quality, both in the physicality and the pace.”
“He’s always making contact, doesn’t leave you in peace, it’s constant. You have to be very focused,” he added on Maguire.
Manchester United could add another centre-back this summer
United are saying goodbye to two centre-backs this summer.
As mentioned earlier, Lindelof is leaving United at the end of his contract after eight years in Manchester.
Jonny Evans has decided to retire, meaning United may need to recruit another defender – especially with Lisandro Martinez out injured.
Udinese’s Oumar Solet has been linked with United after shining in Serie A and could be a name to watch this summer.
Amorim will certainly still lean on Maguire’s experience moving forward, and another new contract would not be a surprise after United activated a one-year option in his current deal.