Gary Lineker believes Manchester United have ‘one of the crucial underrated players in football’ in Harry Maguire.
Maguire was widely praised for his performance in United’s thrilling 3-2 win over Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
The title favourites took the lead through Lisandro Martinez’s own goal but United turned the sport around through goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu.
Mikel Merino then levelled the match with ten minutes remaining as Arsenal scored from a corner yet again, before Matheus Cunha curled an excellent winner past the outstretching David Raya.
Maguire was considered one of several United players who impressed on the Emirates Stadium and Lineker believes the England defender deserves more praise.
Analysing United’s win on The Rest is Football podcast, Micah Richards said: ‘Harry Maguire in a low block may be very, excellent. I do know he’s laughed at and other people make memes on a regular basis.’
Three Lions legend Lineker then said: ‘Do you understand what I take into consideration Harry Maguire? I believe he’s one of the crucial underrated players in football.
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‘I do know people have a pop at him, even people in the sport have a pop at him. And I do know that he will be turned by a striker with pace but he makes up for it to a level together with his intelligence.
‘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. I’d also say he’s bloody sensible in each boxes from set-pieces.
‘There’s an obvious weakness with the slight lack of pack but he’s got the experience to handle that.’
Manchester United made Maguire the most costly defender in history once they paid £80m to sign him from Leicester City in 2019.
The now 32-year-old was handed the captain’s armband shortly after his arrival at Old Trafford but was then stripped of that honour and replaced by Bruno Fernandes.
Maguire’s United future appeared bleak at that stage however the centre-back has enjoyed a revival over the past 18 months, boosting his possibilities of making England’s World Cup squad this summer.
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Maguire was stuffed with praise for his teammates after they ended Arsenal’s unbeaten home record and described United’s performance as ‘magnificent’.
‘It was absolutely massive,’ he told Sky Sports in front of the celebrating away fans in an on-pitch interview.
‘We all know that the primary game, the derby at Old Trafford, you’re at all times up for them and you understand that one-off results can occur, so we needed to back it up today.
‘We spoke about it before the sport, coming to the league leaders, who’ve been excellent this 12 months I need to say, they ask quite a lot of questions of you, to come back here and have the setback late on to get the winner, it was a powerful performance.
‘Michael’s [Carrick] are available, he’s been sensible with us, he’s brought a fresh energy in, the group’s really galvanised.
‘Two tough games, everybody’s probably thinks we come away from them with not many points but to win each is magnificent.’
Manchester United will hope to hold on this momentum under caretaker boss Carrick next weekend once they face Fulham at Old Trafford.
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