“I watched every minutes of his game against Man City and I believe he’s better than Lamine Yamal”: Barcelona legend Lionel Messi says Man United’s youngster is better than Lamine Yamal

Hussein2 days agoLast Updated: December 16, 2024

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Manchester United playmaker Amad scored one of the best goals of his career to earn a stunning victory away at City.

Amad was the clear man-of-the-match in Manchester United’s victory over City, scoring an awe-dropping late goal that left Paul Scholes almost speechless.

It is a joy to see Amad fulfilling his potential and becoming a key player for the club – but he was not the only one who impressed.

A player who deserves more credit was centre-back Harry Maguire, who produced an all-round performance that had United fans praising him.

John O’Shea speaks positively on Maguire
Former Manchester United defender John O’Shea raved about Harry Maguire’s performance, from a leadership and defensive perspective.

“He was just impeccable throughout,” O’Shea told MUTV, adding: “His main task today would have been physically to deal with Haaland. And he came out on top comfortably. And as well as that, he was a leader.

“You saw with that Walker incident as well, how he was straight in there trying to protect the lads.”

The former Ireland international is confident Maguire will play a key role under Amorim this season.

He said: “It was clear, I think when the manager got him back fit, that he was going to be back involved in that system, because I think it suits him, and hopefully he can go from strength to strength.”

Maguire is a leader
Harry Maguire is a leader with or without the captain’s armband, which was moved permanently to Bruno Fernandes in summer 2023.

It has not impacted Maguire in a negative way, is anything it has benefited the centre-back. He has not changed anything about his game, instead, he is just playing under a lesser spotlight.

This does mean Maguire often does not get some of the credit he deserves – but he’s also not being picked apart as much, and he won’t mind that.

United needed his physicality and tenacity in the victory over City, with Erling Haaland totally anonymous for the home side.

Maguire has likely done enough to retain his spot for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against City this coming weekend.