A patched up Manchester United defence took on Liverpool, with Willy Kambwala called up for his second career start.
Willy Kambwala came through the game with his reputation enhanced. Rio Ferdinand even said he viewed him as his man of the match.
Ferdinand also picked out Harry Maguire for praise, rightly. Kambwala would not have been able to play so well if he did not have the veteran out there alongside him as a guiding presence.
Maguire is now 31. Not yet an ‘elder statesman’ of the team, but in comparison to Kambwala, a seasoned pro.
He was making his 202nd appearance for Manchester United. He has made 534 club appearances in total, with 63 at international level for England. That’s invaluable experience for a teenager like Kambwala to learn from, who was making just his seventh ever appearance.
Harry Maguire shows Manchester United can rely on him
A succession of defensive injuries has hit Manchester United hard. Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw are all out currently, along with long-term absentee Tyrell Malacia
This has increased the dependence on Harry Maguire, who we described in the lead-up to this game as Manchester United’s most important player, purely via circumstance. The team cannot afford for him to get injured too.
Maguire came through unscathed, but not only that, he stepped up with an outstanding performance, guiding Kambwala along too.
- 3 of 4 Tackles won
- 1 Block
- 8 Clearances
- 1 Interception
- 9/12 Duels won
- 0 Fouls committed
Manchester United needed Maguire to play well, and the defender demonstrated to his manager that he really can be relied upon.
Harry Maguire thriving without captaincy
Erik ten Hag made the decision in the summer to take the captaincy away from Harry Maguire. This was a choice made principally because he could not guarantee the defender’s starting spot. Last season he barely featured.
This season, ongoing injuries for Lisandro Martinez have seen Maguire feature regularly, and he has thrived without the captaincy.
The Manchester United armband brings with it a tonne of extra pressure. Just ask Bruno Fernandes, who has been subject to a litany of vitriol from pundits this season who feel he is ill-suited to the captaincy.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of the decision, it has suited Maguire, who can just get on with his game without the extra glare.
He continues to demonstrate leadership traits, evident with the way he guided through young Kambwala yesterday.
Whatever the future holds for Maguire, right now he’s more important than ever to Manchester United, and Erik ten Hag will be glad he has him.