Gary Lineker believes Manchester United have ‘one of the most 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 game 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 a brilliant winner past the outstretching David Raya.
Maguire was one of several United players who impressed at 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 is very, very good. I know he’s laughed at and people make memes all the time.’
Three Lions legend Lineker then said: ‘Do you know what I think about Harry Maguire? I think he’s one of the most underrated players in football.
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‘I know people have a pop at him, even people in the game have a pop at him. And I know that he can be turned by a striker with pace but he makes up for it to a degree 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 would also say he’s bloody brilliant in both boxes from set-pieces.
‘There is an obvious weakness with the slight lack of pack but he’s got the experience to handle that.’
Manchester United made Maguire the most expensive defender in history when 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 but the centre-back has enjoyed a revival over the past 18 months, boosting his chances of making England’s World Cup squad this summer.
Maguire was full of 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 know that the first game, the derby at Old Trafford, you’re always up for them and you know that one-off results can happen, so we had to back it up today.
‘We spoke about it before the game, coming to the league leaders, who have been excellent this year I must say, they ask a lot of questions of you, to come here and have the setback late on to get the winner, it was a magnificent performance.
‘Michael’s [Carrick] come in, he’s been brilliant 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 both is magnificent.’
Manchester United will hope to carry on this momentum under caretaker boss Carrick next weekend when they face Fulham at Old Trafford.
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