The best thing about ETH's comments is confirming strikers do indeed need to press in his system and defenders need some degree of athleticism. All summer the Ronaldo and Maguire discussions loved to ridicule the concerns. Sure slow CBs have played in these systems but they had smarts Maguire does not. He's not going to relax his system for players that aren't even that great. Look forward to these two losing their untouchable status. Say hi to rotation, hope the ego blow doesn't send them spiraling.
5
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 31
- Clean sheets
- 17
- Goals
- 0
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 9
- Status
Maguire had his best performance in ages this past Monday. He gets 10/10 for doing what ETH told him to do; sit on the bench and don't move.
Would cup year and he is benched. Wouldn't be surprised to see him move before the deadline.
Basically the captaincy means shit, if Varane's fit Maguire ain't getting in the side
Maguire will start when United face teams that park the bus.
Varane isnt great with the ball and cant pick a long pass like our captain.
Varane isnt great with the ball and cant pick a long pass like our captain.
Those teams also force us to push up. If he didn't play him in a low block against Liverpool I don't see him getting much more favour against teams that actually force him to defend large spaces, counters or be proactive. His limitations will never not make ETH cringe.
Varane is fine with the ball, nothing special, but Martinez is far better than Maguire anyway with it. Varane moves it more quickly, Maguire slows play down. Maguire also is nothing more than average with the ball.
As long as we aren't managing his minutes and he is fit, Varane will play ahead of Maguire. Just like any sane manager would do.
Common sense prevails and a manager can recognize that Varane is on a different planet to Maguire. Glad to see it.
Emotional baggage is hard to shift, but with the new signings and summer departures the squad is looking healthier.
But it might take Harry a few weeks/months to get rid of last seasons demons.
Some time on the bench will do him good.
But it might take Harry a few weeks/months to get rid of last seasons demons.
Some time on the bench will do him good.
I remember when fans were moaning about Rooney playing all the time in 2015/16 season when he was already past it and van Gaal saying in press conferences 'My captain shall always play'
Mourinho handled it much better season after that.I rate Maguire but he's been terrible since last season and will have to fight for his place in first 11. Nothing wrong with that.
Southgate would start him even if he lost a leg.
That is so true .... Painful but true !!
We are soon getting in to a period where 2-3 days of rest is standard. Plus injuries always come. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a lot of Maguire and that’s pretty soon.
Music to my ears from ETH. Effectively taking the captaincy off him as well. Worst United captain in my life time. Easily one of Solskjaer's worst decisions for me
Not yet he hasn't.
The focus on this is a bit weird. Can't remember any new manager guaranteeing certain players will start each game.
Hope Martinez , Varane and Lindelof are fit. Maguire shouldn’t start any games except cup and Omonoia and Sheriff
Having great anticipation and positional sense can make up for a lack of pace and athleticism. However maguire lacks both the former and latter.
A move to a italian club would suit him.
Starts for the second consecutive time today in his new position.
The bench.
The bench.
Started reading your post and almost shit myself. Phew.
Harry, you are in trouble.
Wish this club was actually smart and proactive and sell him. Lindelof as 3rd cb and mengi/tuanz type player is fine as a 4th CB who barely plays. Imagine if we could get 35 mill or so plus pulisic. Add another versatile attacker and still have money to add a CB who can play how ETH wants to play and be groomed along. Could do that and add another deeper midfielder so we don't run CE into the ground
ETH played this perfectly. To be honest I was getting irritated he didn’t drop Maguire earlier but I guess Varane wasn’t fully fit the first two games yet.
ETH’s quote from sometime in July:
ETH’s quote from sometime in July:
Absolutely buzzing that he’s not in the side. I just hope Varane can stay fit.
Bang average player and a massive waste of money. Would love it if he was sold.
Bang average player and a massive waste of money. Would love it if he was sold.
Not to kick a bloke when he's down... But I genuinely don't think we win either of our last two games with him starting
Don’t think theres any way he gets back into our defence as a first choice. Varane and Martinez look so good playing as a pair.
Had we had him playing today when Southampton were pushing for an equaliser they would have scored.
Never rated him but hope for his sake that he gets a move and can concentrate on getting into the WC squad for England
Had we had him playing today when Southampton were pushing for an equaliser they would have scored.
Never rated him but hope for his sake that he gets a move and can concentrate on getting into the WC squad for England
Same goes for Lindelöf. Martinez has completely shown what a clown he is.
I pray that Varane and Martinez or whomever stays fit so that this guy gets used to sit on the bench because quite frankly I am disgusted by him. As if it's not disgrace enough that he is club captain he refuses to take responsibility for anything and actually on the contrary justifies his rank rotten performances. That interview where he said ''I would not be starting every game if I was performing badly'' After that I have absolutely hated the cnut. How can you be that naive?
He thinks he is way better than he is. He's smug, he puts in stinkers pretty much every game, refuses to take responsibility and puts the blame on others for his disastrous decision making and lack of reading the game.
It's a disgrace he has captained the club for 2 years.
He thinks he is way better than he is. He's smug, he puts in stinkers pretty much every game, refuses to take responsibility and puts the blame on others for his disastrous decision making and lack of reading the game.
It's a disgrace he has captained the club for 2 years.
How? We basically hit the ball long in both games and camped in our own box against Liverpool. Whilst our line wasn't as submissive against Southampton it was lower than theirs and at least a mid block. We basically played more negative football than we did when we finished 2nd under Ole. We haven't even attempted to build up from the back.
Our defence has looked far more composed, organised and relaxed in his absence. Maguire has his qualitied but organisation and remaining calm aren't among them.
I'm more thinking of the Liverpool game then today to be fair, but still.
I am rooting for him because the piling on has been ridiculous, but I cannot see him being anything but third choice as is.
That's two games in a row without an absolute howler. Well done Harry, more of the same please
Play him in the cup games and the Europa league when Varane needs to be protected and rested. That’ll be the games he gets now if we can’t shift him out
Ridiculous? It has been with a very good reason. Probably our worst signing given the price attached. He's been an absolute donkey in defence and I'm not saying this lightly.
Might see him start against Leicester if EtH wants to wrap Varane in cotton wool for the Arsenal game.
Opportunity to ship him back to Leicester? Might get some good amount which can be invested elsewhere in players that suit us more.
Varane is injury-prone so I'm not sure about that.
I'm rooting for United personally, so I'm glad to see him riding bench. Long may it continue!
Had a thought, maybe Leicester would want him back, now that Fofana is gone and they are in bit of a trouble!?
£90m for you Leicester, I dare you. Ok, £80m, we are that nice.
£90m for you Leicester, I dare you. Ok, £80m, we are that nice.
Imagine bumping the performance thread for someone who didn't play just to have a dig at them. Be better, people
On the other hand, imagine how frustrating it must've been watching this lump start game after game despite stinking out the place. This might be a therapy session for some folks.
- Status