Gary Lineker and Micah Richards felt the same way about Harry Maguire after the Manchester United and England star’s impact under interim boss Michael Carrick.
Michael Carrick has turned to the experienced Harry Maguire and the former Manchester United captain has started both matches under the interim manager.
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Harry Maguire celebrating at Anfield
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Maguire has struck up a superb partnership with Lisandro Martinez and the pair played a key role in Man Utd securing a clean sheet against Manchester City.
The 32-year-old centre-back and Lisandro Martinez also completed the full 90 minutes of United’s 2-0 win over Manchester City in their Premier League clash.
Carrick deployed Maguire alongside the 28-year-old Argentine at the weekend and both players put in strong displays in United’s stunning 3-2 result against Arsenal.
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Harry Maguire celebrates after winning man of the match during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in 2026 in London, England.
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Gary Lineker and Micah Richards drop powerful verdicts on Man Utd ace Harry Maguire after the Arsenal match
Harry Maguire even outshone Lisandro Martinez on Sunday evening and the former Red Devils skipper was deeply impressive in Manchester United’s win over Arsenal.
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The England star missed the tail end of Ruben Amorim’s reign as Man Utd manager due to an injury before returning under caretaker manager Darren Fletcher.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Micah Richards praised the defensive qualities of Maguire amid the criticism that the United centre-back has received.
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Harry Maguire celebrates scoring for Manchester United.
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“Harry Maguire in a low block is very, very good,” he said.
“I know he’s laughed at and people make memes all the time.”
Gary Lineker, much like Sky Sports pundit Richards, put down a staunch defence of Maguire and insisted that the United ace is very much “underrated” as a player.
Responding to Richards, he asked: “Do you know what I think about Harry Maguire?”
Lineker added: “I think he’s one of the most underrated players in football.
“I know people have a pop at him, even people in the game have a pop at him. And I know that he can be turned by a striker with pace but he makes up for it to a degree with his intelligence.”
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Gary Lineker’s assessment of Man Utd and England defender Harry Maguire could not be clearer
Maguire’s impact for both United and England has impressed Lineker, who believes that the former Leicester City ace excels in both areas of the box on the pitch.
“He can play as well, he’s good on the ball and he’s never let England down when he’s played for his country,” Lineker added.
“I would also say he’s bloody brilliant in both boxes from set-pieces.
“There is an obvious weakness with the slight lack of pace, but he’s got the experience to handle that.”
Maguire has entered the final six months of his contract at Old Trafford and the Red Devils defender could leave the Premier League club as a free agent in the summer.
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