Manchester United can rely on Harry Maguire’s upsurge in defensive form of late, believes ex-Red Devils star Lee Sharpe as he made note of the £80 million centre-back’s growing value to Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s side.
The former Leicester City central defender has been on the receiving end of constant criticism directed towards his failure to live up to the world-record transfer fee shelled out by the Old Trafford outfit in the summer of 2019.
However, during Manchester United’s brilliant run of form since the backend of last season in the Premier League, Maguire has considerably improved in his role of the defensive colossus for the Red Devils, with Solskjaer’s men sitting joint top alongside Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the league table after their 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
Sharpe, according to reports from Goal, praised the consistency shown by Maguire of late in the face of growing censure concerning his spot in the United lineup, adding that the England international had handled things really well whilst turning out for a club of Manchester United’s stature.
“I think what happened in the summer on his holidays has spilled over a little bit.
“I think he’s had a couple of not so good games and people have picked up on it. But I think the consistency levels since he got to United have been phenomenal.
“He has shored up the defence, he reads the game really well, he can play. You can tell that as a kid he was more of a midfielder than a defender because he’s more of a footballer than just a stopper.
“I think he has been fantastic for the club. Criticism is a bit harsh.”
“You go and play for a club like Manchester United, who are one of the biggest in the world, it’s part of the territory. You have to take the criticism.
“You are there to be shot at, but no-one generally criticises you more than yourself. I think he has handled things well.
“It’s a difficult place to go. Stepping up from any club to go to Manchester United is difficult and I think he’s handled it with class.”
The 27-year-old Maguire remains United’s most trusty option at the back in the wake of Victor Lindelof’s back injury and recent reports indicating that fringe first-teamer Marcus Rojo is close to the exit door at Old Trafford in the ongoing January transfer window.
