06 November 2023 , 00:47
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Peter Schmeichel claims Erik ten Hag will now "put Harry Maguire first" after the Manchester United defender's classy display at Fulham.
The Red Devils secured a pressure-relieving win at Craven Cottage courtesy of Bruno Fernandes ' stoppage-time winner. The victory came after successive 3-0 defeats at Old Trafford but required a resolute defensive display with Maguire and Jonny Evans pairing up at the back.
Maguire has endured a difficult period under Ten Hag, who was quick to drop the England star with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez his preferred duo. The pair have endured injury problems, opening the door for Maguire once more and the 30-year-old has more than delivered.
As a result Schmeichel told Premier League Productions: "The best player for me [on Saturday] was Harry Maguire. He was majestic. He was here, there and everywhere.
"The adversity he has met and the criticism he has been in for and how he has turned it around. Every coach now will put him in first. He was fantastic and without him today I can’t see how Man United would have won today."
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Maguire has been bought in from the cold having been stripped of the United captaincy back in the summer, which seemed to spell the end for the out of favour defender. West Ham pushed for a move and were close to sealing a deal, only for the player to turn it down.
His patience has been rewarded and the former Leicester City man has played the entire 90 minutes in United's last four league outings - three of which they've won. His display at Craven Cottage earned him praise from his manager, who could stick by Maguire going forward.
Harry Maguire helped Man Utd keep a clean sheet at FulhamThe Dutchman said: “He was playing a massive, massive game. A very good performance. He showed leadership and in and out of possession he was very good, so I’m very pleased with that performance from Harry.”
Maguire has recently been forced to defend his record in Manchester, highlighting how, when he's been called upon, he's often delivered with the centre-half rarely tasting defeat.
He said: "If you look back on my last 15-20 starts for club and country, I would be happy to sit here and say I'm really happy with my performances. My record under this manager speaks for itself. I haven't started as many games as I like, but my win percentage when I've played is ridiculously high."