Michael Carrick has highlighted Harry Maguire’s importance to Manchester United, with the defender rediscovering his form under the interim manager. Maguire, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has started all eight league games since Carrick took over in January, with the only defeat coming in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle United.
Speaking before United’s victory over Crystal Palace last week, Carrick said: ‘Harry’s an impressive character. He’s had a great career so far and hopefully there’s a lot more to come.’ The former United midfielder emphasised the value of experience, adding: ‘Within the squad there is that balance, you want that younger potential and excitement, but you need the sweet spot in the middle with players at the peak, and experience is massive. It’s hard to put a price on how valuable that can be.’
Maguire has been a mainstay in the team since Carrick’s arrival, producing some of the best performances of his Old Trafford career. The centre-back, who was handed a 15-month suspended jail sentence this week for a non-serious assault in Mykonos in 2020, is now back in contention for a World Cup spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
When asked whether Maguire is playing the best football of his career, Carrick replied: ‘There is a case for that. As your career goes when you’re a young player and everything is fresh, you’re fearless and there’s not many scars there. You get to your peak years and you feel good and everything is there, but you’ve had a few ups and downs. You get towards the later times and the experience should make you a better player, we’ve seen that with Harry’s performances of late.’
Maguire’s future remains uncertain, but Carrick’s praise suggests a new deal could be on the agenda if the interim boss is awarded the permanent role. United face Aston Villa at home on March 15 after a two-week break following the defeat at Newcastle.
