Erik ten Hag stripped Harry Maguire of playing time and captain’s armband. Two signs that were impossible to misinterpret. The English stalwart refused to give up and leave Man United, history showed it was Ten Hag who disappeared first. In came Ruben Amorim with a formation on the pitch that brings out the strengths of a player like Maguire, this month the United management pressed for an option for another season. Ten Hag had written off the Englishman, but Harry Maguire is back – and then some. Now Amorim wants Maguire longer.
Before the Southampton game, Ruben Amorim was asked if Maguire’s confidence seems to have increased as he has gained the trust of his new boss.
“I think he has changed the way he sees himself, more than it is about me believing in him. I also said this when he signed the new contract – we can call it that – that he needs to improve on and off the pitch, and the way he plays now is different because he has a lot of belief in himself. So I think we have to praise Harry more than me. He’s doing a good job,” says Amorim.
Before he praises the 31-year-old for his all-in, no matter what will.
“He was sick during the last game and was completely dead at the end, and that’s what I want from all players..,” the United manager continues.
Now to the question of Maguire’s role at Amorims United.
“At the moment a lot of crosses are coming and it becomes visible when we defend lower – and Arsenal hit a lot of crosses – but with Harry we controlled that area, so he is very important. He is very important for us on set pieces as well, and you can see that it is very important to be good at set pieces in this league. So I think that the system is very good for Harry, but the most important thing is as Harry himself said. He feels like a more important player on the team, and like a leader. I feel that he is a leader again, says Amorim.
Did you catch it, Ten Hag?
