Harry Maguire becomes first United outfield player to play every league minute for 25 years

cyril C

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Well I don't expect my first choice CB to start many of the early cup games + couple early CL games. However, I dont think it's unreasonable to expect them to start 32-34 league games and 10/12 CL games. Van Djiks done it.
Yes, this is what I would have expected, 40+ games. But even with your top line 46 out of possible 51 games, this is only 86%.
Well I don't expect my first choice CB to start many of the early cup games + couple early CL games. However, I dont think it's unreasonable to expect them to start 32-34 league games and 10/12 CL games. Van Djiks done it.
How would you rate VVD's 19-20 season compared with 18-19 season? Drop at least half a point? In fact, their last 8-9 games were academic, had they need to fight for every points like we did, we might see more wear and tear.

32-34 league games is fine with me, as in my target as well. But when VVD needs to play all 38 games then something have to give. That's why your 3rd choice CB is very important, not just to back up injury and card, but to rest your best CB pairing for key games.
 

zenith

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Fantastic achievement. The fact that Maguire and Lindelof have been basically omnipresent in the defence is a big reason for our impressive defensive record this season.

Hope we manage to get a reliable 3rd choice CB though, as this is vital for when when one of them gets injured.
 

Kostov

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We finished with only 3 more goals conceded to the best defense in the league, who also plays Fabinho and 2 other midfielder workhorses in front of the back 4. Whatever people say, Maguire has improved us and I am glad that he is here.
 

Revan

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Criticized him a lot, but this is a fantastic achievement. Being fit and able to build partnership (same for Lindelof) is as important as being great. For example, Laporte is a quite better CB, but in the last 3 seasons he has averaged 26 league matches. So someone might ask is it better to have a 7/10 player for 38 matches or an 8/10 player for 26 matches? Maybe if you have a great backup you choose the later, but if your backups are an injured Jones, an injured Bailly, an injured Rojo and an injured Tuanzabe, probably the less good but more available option is the better option for us.
 

Revan

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Could Smalling and Maguire work?
Smalling and AWB on the same side of the pitch while being pressed would be awesome to see from a rival point of view.

Defense-wise, yes it would. Smalling is a good defender, as is Maguire. They would dominate most of the strikers, and close the aerial space for good, while also be very dangerous from corners and free kicks.
 

AFC NimbleThumb

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Another reason to praise Maguire that doesn’t actually consider his level of performances. . .

Although availability is an ability so it should be commended.
 

CG1010

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This alone is a big thing for us who have seen rotational CBs for too long. Atleast Maguire has brought stability at the back.
 

eire-red

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The match against Leciester was one we could absolutely afford not to lose, and we kept a clean sheet.

Maguire has brought stability, consistency and reliability at the back. When people say they're not happy with him, what exactly do you want? Maguire flying into 50-50s, sliding tackles, and last ditch lunges?

Sure, that all looks great, but then you remember that's how Bailly plays, and that's why he's not in the team.

Maguire has come in and without being spectacular himself, has been very good and solid all year, and has simultaneously improved the defensive unit as a whole. Now I don't know about you guys, but I'd rather the entire back line performing as it is rather than Maguire performing heroics every game, and papering over the cracks.

He looks a good organiser, a leader, a good communicator and he's not afraid to call the team out when our standards dip. He gets a lot of stick for the price tag, but he's been exactly what we needed this season. Fair play to him, I expect him and the rest of the team to kick on next year.
 

davidmichael

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Could Smalling and Maguire work?
In my opinion yes as Smalling is a pure defender that does all the basics very well and is one of the quickest centre backs around so would cover Maguire’s main flaw in lack of pace, Maguire on the other hand can do everything but struggles without pace around him.

This is why I’ve been gutted for Tuanzebe this season as on paper he is the absolute perfect partner for Maguire as he has a combination of Lindelof and Smalling’s main strengths, I’m hoping he is over this horror injury season and is back to full fitness next season as he could be a game changer if at his best and fully fit.

I kind of feel like Lindelof and Maguire have been our first choice centre back pairing by default as they’ve been injury free all season, I think if Tuanzebe would have been fit then he’d likely have been Maguire’s partner.
 

thegregster

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The match against Leciester was one we could absolutely afford not to lose, and we kept a clean sheet.

Maguire has brought stability, consistency and reliability at the back. When people say they're not happy with him, what exactly do you want? Maguire flying into 50-50s, sliding tackles, and last ditch lunges?

Sure, that all looks great, but then you remember that's how Bailly plays, and that's why he's not in the team.

Maguire has come in and without being spectacular himself, has been very good and solid all year, and has simultaneously improved the defensive unit as a whole. Now I don't know about you guys, but I'd rather the entire back line performing as it is rather than Maguire performing heroics every game, and papering over the cracks.

He looks a good organiser, a leader, a good communicator and he's not afraid to call the team out when our standards dip. He gets a lot of stick for the price tag, but he's been exactly what we needed this season. Fair play to him, I expect him and the rest of the team to kick on next year.
Its goals like the first one v Bournemouth that he needs to be stopping.

I highlighted a numbers of his weaknesses in the transfer thread last summer and that type of incident is what keeps him from going from a good CB to a top one. He is a 50mil CB who we paid 80mil for but thats not his fault. Overall he has improved us.
 

Nevilles.Wear.Prada

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He’s made 52 apps for us this season. He could play in 56 if we go all the way in Europa. It’s a the top end of apps in a season. Not sure what the most is but Lampard once made 62 apps in a season for Chelsea.
Lamps physically fittest freak of a nature on his day. Very likeable too.. Hope he can help us break liverpoops dominance. Harry is similiarly fit. We are just spoiled with rios and vidics of the world that Harry looking sub par. He is quite a good signing. No VVD but will be monumental in years to come.
We need some set piece coaching as well. There are lots of goals in the man.
 

lex talionis

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Every minute, you say? Incredible. I knew he logged a lot of miles on his legs this season, but I didn't realize we used him every single minute season of league play.

We're all here to have a go at someone on a daily basis, but Harry deserves more respect than he's gotten here.
 

pav1790

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What is also good is that he didn’t miss any games due to disqualification for cards (although there were I think 2 situations in the season where he might have got a straight red but was lucky not to). Still, it is important for a defender to not amass cards
Those two early yellows against Leicester, and Harry’s in ninth minute, gave me flashbacks to when Rafael, Vidic, Gary Neville ( later years ) and Scholesey used to get yellow and you had to clench your butt until they were either subbed off or the final whistle was blown.

But our players have been generally good when on caution this season. Only Matic got a second yellow and no one got a straight red. Last season we had five players sent off. An aspect of stability that’s not talked about as often as it should.
 

Valuedrug

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Seems like he has been playing through injuries for a while too. Commitment is great, and we need more of that warrior mindset in the squad, but if he has to do the same thing again for next season, we either got very unlucky or management has dropped the ball big time.
 

Seven Seas Sardines

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Harry will become even better when he plays with a stable, pacy and left-footed CB so he can move to the right and more easily resist press by having more passing options.
 

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CHs should be starting 90%+ games tbf - it's not the most physically demanding role in the game.
But when you compare them to Jones, Bailly and Rojo you can see why people think it’s impressive. We’re not used to a player getting through 90 minutes unharmed let alone 90 minutes 52 times in one season.
 

RUCK4444

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I really like Maguire. He's definitely added stability. I think the grief he gets for the price tag (which he didn't set) has been over the top. Conversely if the price had been a lot lower the same people would have been saying that he's been the bargain of the season. It's harsh what a price tag can do to fans opinion on a player.

He's had a few shaky moments but he's played every minute of the league campaign. You just know that with the right partner this guy will kick onto a whole other level.

Have to say also that Lindelof has been good at times. I just feel Maguire has a better ceiling than him and is a leader (perhaps the only one in the squad other than Bruno.)
 

Ødegaard

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Did so with injury since December if my memory is correct.
Man deserves a rest!
 

Isotope

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He and Bruno are the only leaders on the team (for now).
 

UNITED ACADEMY

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He and Bruno are the only leaders on the team (for now).
I think Rashford need to be mentioned as well, off & on the football he's been very professional & helpful. Williams mentioned that him & Lingard keep in touch with him off the pitch to make sure you eat the right things and more stuffs.
 

POF

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Great record. Just shows if your top speed is just above a brisk stroll you're less likely to get injured.

He has been a very good signing. Consistency and leadership at the back are really important in such a young team and he has both in spades.

I'd rather if he was better defensively but he's a really key player for this team.
 

hmchan

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Can't see it as any kind of achievement. Simply suggest the lack of squad depth and rotation we have.
 

Isotope

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I think Rashford need to be mentioned as well, off & on the football he's been very professional & helpful. Williams mentioned that him & Lingard keep in touch with him off the pitch to make sure you eat the right things and more stuffs.
Was thinking about putting Rashford too. But he seems a bit reserved on the field. Understandably he's still young and has plenty of time ahead.
 
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Can't see it as any kind of achievement. Simply suggest the lack of squad depth and rotation we have.
Of course it’s an achievement. Granted I’m not having a street party because of it.

What’s particularly good, is it’s in a position we have struggled with for the past 8-9 years.
 

sammsky1

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Can't see it as any kind of achievement. Simply suggest the lack of squad depth and rotation we have.
That’s such a negative outlook.

It’s a massive achievement for Maguire personally, demonstrating vast reserves of physical strength, fitness and recovery. Even most professional athletes don’t posses this ability, especially in this unique season.

It was a massive deal when Lampard did it years ago, and football has become even more athletically demanding since.
 
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Inigo Montoya

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Can't see it as any kind of achievement. Simply suggest the lack of squad depth and rotation we have.
Sorry but that's utter nonsense.

Given the physical demands of the PL, a CB or any player for that matter showing that level of physical resilience is quite extraordinary. It's no coincidence that our most successful runs have come when we've had a CB pairing that's consistent. Add another strong,fast CB next to him and we won't be conceding many next season.
 

mav_9me

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Can't see it as any kind of achievement. Simply suggest the lack of squad depth and rotation we have.
Not to jump on you with the others but wanted to give my opinion.

Availability is an ability too.

Whilst your statement is partly true when it comes to CB, at the same time having a constant back 4 plays a major role in making them better than they are. So you don't actually want to rotate in central defense if you can.

And you can also see the improvement in our defense with him. And obviously with him playing all the time it shows his major role in our defense.

Next step is to pair him with a faster defender to compensate for his lack of pace, and play with a higher line to suffocate the opponent.
 

meamth

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When we had Smalling, people were bashing him for hoofing the ball mindlessly and poor ball playing ability.

When we have Maguire, who for me seems very comfortable with the ball and play neatly, people are bashing him for holding it too long.

What's worse is when he makes a mistake or two, it became a meme for us paying him 80 million.

The man deserves some respect, he is the right cb for Ole.
 

hmchan

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Not to jump on you with the others but wanted to give my opinion.

Availability is an ability too.

Whilst your statement is partly true when it comes to CB, at the same time having a constant back 4 plays a major role in making them better than they are. So you don't actually want to rotate in central defense if you can.

And you can also see the improvement in our defense with him. And obviously with him playing all the time it shows his major role in our defense.

Next step is to pair him with a faster defender to compensate for his lack of pace, and play with a higher line to suffocate the opponent.
Since when do we start to praise the availability of a player? Plenty of players play every minute in the Premier League, and I never see their fans compliment them for that.
Liverpool - van Dijk
West Ham - Rice
Burnley - Tarkowski
Southampton - Ward-Prowse
Wolves - Coady
Sheffield - Baldock
 

Classical Mechanic

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Since when do we start to praise the availability of a player? Plenty of players play every minute in the Premier League, and I never see their fans compliment them for that.
Liverpool - van Dijk
West Ham - Rice
Burnley - Tarkowski
Southampton - Ward-Prowse
Wolves - Coady
Sheffield - Baldock
Not sure about Sheff Utd and Wolves but those other players are among the very most important at their clubs.
 

pacifictheme

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Since when do we start to praise the availability of a player? Plenty of players play every minute in the Premier League, and I never see their fans compliment them for that.
Liverpool - van Dijk
West Ham - Rice
Burnley - Tarkowski
Southampton - Ward-Prowse
Wolves - Coady
Sheffield - Baldock
So, maguire included, that makes 3% of starting positions in the league where a player played every minute of every game. 3.5% if we don't include goalkeepers.

Plenty.
 

Samid

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Seems like he will be denied the chance to do this back-to-back:

Ole said:
"I just keep my fingers crossed that nobody gets injured. That's going to be my biggest concern, injuries. Harry Maguire has played every minute for us in the Premier League since he came. I don't think that’s not possible now. That’s another record or another stat he could have been very proud of but I can’t really see that happening now.