Harry Maguire has produced some fine performances for England in recent years, but has struggled to even start for Manchester United this season.
Despite his poor form at club level, there was never any question in Gareth Southgate’s mind as to whether he should be in England’s squad for the recent World Cup or even in the starting line-up.
He appeared more times in the World Cup for England than in the 22/23 season so far for United, five times for England and just four times for the Reds.
Southgate’s faith in the defender was also rewarded as they put in some strong performances, particularly in the group stage.
In an article published by The Athletic a few days ago, Liam Tharme analyzed his performances and weighed in on how United could extract similar returns from the 29-year-old.
The journalist highlights four changes that Ten Hag could make to enhance Maguire’s performances.
Tharme’s main point is the need for a stable partnership. He refers to the glory days, noting how Ferdinand and Vidic were one of the best centre-back pairings in Premiership history, their styles complementing each other perfectly.
He says of Maguire: “Maguire has played alongside John Stones in three major tournaments, albeit in a mix of defensive setups.”
He continues: “In 16 games with the duo, England have won 10, drawn three and lost three, backed by a defense that concede less than one goal a game and keep clean sheets in almost half the games.”
The couple knows for themselves how their relationship improves team performance. Before the World Cup, Stones said: “We have played so many games together, we have created a bond and a partnership together. We know what the other person is going to do and how we work best together. It clicks.
Tharme deepens his analysis: “As a greater physical presence, Maguire intervenes more, but he is also the main defender of the area: he had more clearances (18 against seven), tackles (seven against two) and twice as many aerial duels (20 against 10 ) of the Stones in the World Cup”.
Ten Hag himself commented on the player difference saying: “He has, for England, good games almost all the time. He had a spell at Manchester where he performed poorly.”
Maguire’s weakness lies in his athleticism, something that Ten Hag’s style of play tests with his high defensive line.
Tharme clarifies that “every central defender has limitations and, therefore, pairing players with strengths that mitigate the other’s weaknesses is key.”
In a previous article, the publication’s Carl Anka highlighted his performance in the 19/20 and 20/21 seasons in which he paired up with Victor Lindelof.
At the time, Maguire commented on the success they were having: “When you build partnerships it takes time, I’m learning his (Lindelof’s) game and he’s learning mine and I think we’re getting better.”
They started 79% of the games together, resulting in 33 wins, 21 draws and only eight losses with less than one goal conceded per game.
But Tharme believes that Ten Hag is unlikely to change its system to accommodate that partnership. He plays defensive back four religiously and prefers Martinez in that left center position.
However, that is the position in which Maguire excels for his country and Tharme once again highlights the advantages of having a right-footed Maguire in this left-centre role.
“Playing from the left, Maguire has more opportunities to dribble and protect the ball with his shoulder, but also shifts the game to either flank.”
This would be ideal for both Rashford and Sancho for United and he has shown his ability serving Sterling and Saka for England in the latter tournament.
The Athletic go on to argue that losing Ronaldo may have improved Maguire’s performances and increased his chances.
“Ronaldo’s lack of pressure meant United had to defend closer and closer to their own goal.”
Tharme gives the example of Norwich’s first goal against the Reds in May. Although the goal was created by Maguire’s side, it came from the six men in front of him, including Ronaldo, not blocking the passing lanes.
But the termination of Ronaldo’s contract might not be the only thing Maguire needs to re-enter Ten Hag’s starting line-up.
David de Gea is not a great goalkeeper, which means there is more pressure on his defenders.
FBref statistics show that he ranks in the bottom quarter of the top five goalkeepers in the European league in the last 365 days for defensive actions outside the box per 90 minutes (0.77) compared to 1.39 for the goalkeeper from England Pickford.
However, Ten Hag is unlikely to abandon De Gea to better accommodate his club captain.
Finally, Maguire is known for the threat he poses on set pieces. Since the start of 2021, he has scored more goals for England than for United.
It was widely noted that in January this year, United failed to score from 117 corners. Maguire prefers outswingers because they hang in the air longer, curl into him and allow him to hit him with a powerful header.
It has been a major feature of England’s success in recent tournaments under Southgate, but most of United’s corners are not outswingers.
Tharme makes a good argument for why Ten Hag can’t get the performances from their captain that Southgate can, but without changing their playstyle and desired formation, they may never get the best out of their defender.
However, with this analysis it is easy to see why he appears in the Southgate squad despite his poor form at the club.
