Ruben Amorim has found a key player for Manchester United, who was previously instructed to depart under Erik ten Hag’s management. This individual has now become essential to the team, showcasing growth and performance that has earned their place in the starting lineup.

While much of the focus in Manchester United’s remarkable victory over Manchester City on Sunday was on the omission of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, it was Amad who truly stole the spotlight. Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim, in his own part of the game, found an unexpected gem in Harry Maguire, a player whose remarkable resurgence is becoming one of the great football comebacks.

 

Few players in recent memory have faced as much ridicule and public scrutiny as Harry Maguire. The United defender has been subject to intense criticism, having lost the captaincy and his place in the England squad, while every move he makes on the field has been relentlessly examined by online critics and haters eager to pounce on any mistake.

 

Yet, against all odds, Maguire has managed to endure, and in fact, he played a central role in United’s 2-1 comeback win at the Etihad Stadium. His performance was so commanding that he made Manchester City’s star striker, Erling Haaland, appear insignificant in comparison.

 

Maguire’s strengths lie in being a dominant figure at the heart of a three-at-the-back defensive system, a role in which he has previously excelled for England. Under Gareth Southgate, Maguire became indispensable in such a setup, and his performance against City suggests he could soon attain a similar level of importance at Old Trafford, especially if he continues to build on his current form.

 

Despite a few early vulnerabilities—most notably when Kevin De Bruyne and Josko Gvardiol exposed United’s weaknesses in set-piece defending to score—the team limited City to minimal opportunities, with Maguire playing a key role in that defensive solidity. Positioned between Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, Maguire recorded five interceptions, three clearances, and one block, while also winning three tackles. He dominated in duels, winning all four ground duels and six of the eight duels overall. His passing accuracy was exceptional, maintaining a 92% success rate.

 

While Amorim has a range of defensive options at his disposal, including Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, and Noussair Mazraoui, the temptation to rely on Maguire’s imposing presence at the back will be hard to resist, especially after United managed to neutralize a lackluster City attack that was limited to only three shots on goal throughout nearly 100 minutes of play.

 

Maguire now finds himself at a pivotal moment in his career. His current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, although United holds an option for an additional 12 months. However, Maguire will likely be hoping for a more long-term commitment from the club, especially given the ongoing speculation surrounding his future. Last year, a potential £30 million move to West Ham United fell through, but the question of his exit has lingered.

 

There has been consistent pressure for Maguire to seek a move for the sake of more regular football. Even club legend Dwight Yorke had previously suggested that leaving in the summer was a “no-brainer” in light of Erik ten Hag’s pursuit of a new centre-back. Yorke had speculated that Maguire’s status in the dressing room could suffer if he stayed, given the lack of playing time.

 

However, Maguire’s response to these doubts has been nothing short of remarkable. His resilience and character have not only silenced his critics but have also significantly improved his standing within the club. It seems that his ability to prove the doubters wrong might just result in another coach placing their trust in him on a regular basis, possibly earning him a contract extension and a more central role in the coming seasons.