What Man United Fans Are Saying About Maguire’s Performance vs. Chelsea
Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Manchester United were able to commence their Premier League campaign on an incredibly high-note as they defeated Chelsea 4-0 at Old Trafford.
A brace from Marcus Rashford and goals from Anthony Martial and Daniel James have now cemented United in the second-place of the table, sandwiched between rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
Most fans will be hoping that the Red Devils are successful in keeping this spot for the rest of the season, if not bettering it.
The game was one of many positives, even as the opening minutes weren’t the best game of football from the home side.
Amongst them, the standout feature was the manner in which their debutants performed, particularly Harry Maguire, who even managed to bag the Man of the Match trophy.
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The centre-back was the subject of a late signing from Leicester City and came at the back of a summer-long transfer saga wherein his pricetag proved to be a point of much contention.
However, after seeing the manner in which he handled the heart of United’s defense, it is fair to say that many minds would have been put at rest.
The same was on show as the supporters of the Mancunian giants took to Twitter to discuss the performance of the 26-year-old Englishman.
At the final whistle, Maguire went straight to McTominay, hugged him, and talked and talked enthusiastically to him. Maguire's not just a good defender, as he showed against #cfc today, but also a good character, a team player, a leader. #MUNCHE
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 11, 2019
It’s crazy how social media/news publications have convinced some fans that Maguire to United was an awful signing. Obviously, he was overpriced, but he’s such a huge improvement on their existing options & will improve them tremendously, as demonstrated today.
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) August 11, 2019
Harry Maguire vs. Chelsea:
• 0 times dribbled past
• 0 fouls committed
• 0 goals concededGood first impression. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/iztj4Ysf5K
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 11, 2019
Harry Maguire’s Man Utd debut by numbers:
100% attacking aerials won
86% pass accuracy
7 clearances
4 interceptions
2 blocks
0 fouls committed
0 goals conceded💪💪💪 #MUFC #MUNCHE pic.twitter.com/0r7XgSrtDj
— UnitedReds (@UnitedRedscom) August 11, 2019
Mourinho still not a fan of Shaw, speaking about United's defensive positioning he said: "When Maguire has to cover Luke Shaw, and he will need to realise that he will need to do that a lot of times this season, they are not closing down the space in the box."
— Charlotte Duncker (@CharDuncker) August 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/Posterboi_/status/1160608316961243137?s=20
Me seeing a Manchester United backline that can actually defend. Wan Bissaka, Maguire and Lindelof unreal. Shaw can improve, no doubt. And David De Gea, standing tall as ever if the defence gets breached. Absolutely loved that performance. #MUNCHE #MUFC pic.twitter.com/7wdQcMRE3V
— Ngangom Tennyson (@TheMusicalBox48) August 11, 2019
‘Slabhead’ also managed to impress through his attacking skills. He was often seen much higher-up on the pitch than centre-backs usually venture and his ball-playing skills were there for all to relish. Furthermore, the presence he cemented in the opposition’s box during set-pieces was also a sight to be reckoned with.
Now fans will be hoping for him to tighten his discipline and integrate more into the backline at Old Trafford, taking on the role of a leader and a ball-player.