Pranav Nair
Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic impressed with Harry Maguire
According to The Athletic (h/t The Mirror), Nemanja Vidic has revealed that he expects Harry Maguire to cement his place amongst the world’s best defenders.
The Serbian believes that the United skipper still has some way to go but is admittedly on the right track. The 28-year-old is an integral part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s system and is enhancing his reputation at the international level with England this summer.
“When I look at Maguire I see a defender who is good at everything, 8/10 at everything.”
Maguire was included in Gareth Southgate’s squad despite missing almost a month of football due to injury. He has however vindicated his inclusion with a series of top performances.
Vidic was one of the best defenders to represent during the Premier League era. He formed an excellent partnership with Rio Ferdinand and knows a thing or two about forming a strong rearguard.
“Harry Maguire looks confident and comfortable, even more for his country than for Manchester United.”
Vidic believes Maguire looks a better player for country in comparison to the club. He will however need to win trophies in order to be compared with the best. Maguire is yet to win a major honour for United but securing the Euro 2020 title should give him that first taste of winning a trophy.
“He’s a defender who is still improving, but if he wants to be recognised at the highest level he has to win trophies.”
The necessary traits
Vidic believes Maguire has the necessary qualities to emerge as a tour de force in the game. Just how he uses those traits to best effect remains to be seen.
“He’s fast enough, he’s strong enough, he can jump and play the ball, his positioning is fine.”
On his day, Maguire is an excellent player who is clearly our defensive lynchpin. He does however have the tendency to get caught out against top-level opponents. Unless he irons out those deficiencies, it remains to be seen if he will make it as a top-of-the-line defender.
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While Maguire and co’s performances at the Euros have been impressive, it can be questioned that United have not faced any team of repute yet. The draw has been fairly kind to them and they have had the opportunity to play most of their games at Wembley as well.
While Germany are certainly illustrious opponents, the current side is a far cry from the one that won the World Cup in 2014. Maguire will face his biggest challenge yet against an Italian side who have arguably been the team of the tournament so far.
