Harry Maguire has gone from zero to hero at Manchester United over the past few years.
The central defender joined Manchester United six years ago, in 2019 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and has went through a rollercoaster since this transfer came through.
Maguire cost United £80m, which still ranks him as one of the most expensive players the club have ever signed. Despite starting well under Solskjaer, the fee ultimately weighed heavy as he could never do enough to justify it and as a result he was heavily criticised.
Luke Shaw said that Maguire was the most criticised player in football, which was both on social media and in person as he has been booed in the past and been treated terribly. However, after being stripped of the captains armband in 2023 by Erik ten Hag, Maguire has slowly but surely saved his career at the club.
It takes such heart to stay at United through thick and thin and ultimately come out on top, which is something that some so called bigger named players haven’t had the heart to accomplish.
Jadon Sancho wasn’t able to overcome criticisim at Old Trafford, and to a lesser level, one other big money player also couldn’t handle how he was perceived at the club.
Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire shaking hands while both play for Manchester United.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Harry Maguire suggests Manchester United didn’t get the best from Paul Pogba
Back in 2022, Paul Pogba left United for free, for a second time, and once again headed back to Juventus.
Pogba was desperate to prove United wrong as he didn’t leave on the best of terms.
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Pogba is United’s record signing, but he didn’t quite live up to this billing, despite some really excellent performances by the Frenchman.
Now, discussing Pogba with Rio Ferdinand, Maguire has revealed he doesn’t think United ever got the best from the Frenchman.
“He’s a joke. He was such a good player. Another player, who ‘did we actually get the best out of him?'”, Maguire told Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“He still has so much more to offer, even though he did brilliant for Man Utd, just the expectation on him was just huge.
“He just couldn’t do anything, he had to be the best player every game, otherwise he’d hammered, he was an unbelievable player.”
‘Pogba on his day’, is a phrase which became famed amongst the fanbase as he was capable of being the world’s best midfielder, but also sometimes a non factor within United’s side.
Paul Pogba could have been a Manchester United great
Pogba is a very frustrating case, as everyone knew he was capable of being revolutionary in midfield and he was supposed to have been remembered at United as a legend.
At his very best, Pogba was unstoppable and toyed with Premier League opposition due to his incredible technique which is a complete rarity in football for his size and long limbs.
Pogba being academy graduate means he could have been thought of alongside some legends if he had strung performances together consistently, which unfortunately wasn’t the case.
It is a shame that he wasted his time at United, and after departing had his suspension issues from football. Now at Monaco, hopefully Pogba can have a good few seasons to end his career on a high and remind fans why he was rated alongside Zinedine Zidane once upon a time.