This was a season to forget for Harry Maguire. The Manchester United captain was part of one of the worst defensive campaigns the Red Devils have had in the past 30 years and with Maguire leading that back four, the fans never really had the chance to relax and just enjoy the good football. United conceded 57 goals in the Premier League and Maguire was often part of those poor defensive performances. While he did have some positive moments, they are definitely not going to be something the fans will remember of him from this past campaign.
Appearances across all competitions
Harry Maguire made 37 appearances across all competitions throughout the campaign. Man United captain made 30 appearances in the Premier League, six in the Champions League, and one more in the FA Cup. He even managed to score a total of two goals, but that is not something that the fans will remember from him from this season. Maguire did have a few injuries and suspensions, when he had slight problems with his calf, with his chest and then knee. He also famously got sent off during United’s 1-4 thrashing at the hands of Watford, in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final match.
Did he perform above or below the expectations?
This was definitely a season below the expectations for Harry Maguire. It was at moments an incredibly terrible campaign, with the Manchester United captain being ridiculed for his mistakes and the ways he managed to make things worse for his team. While he was overall good in possession and progressing the ball further up the pitch, winning the ball in aerial duels and even being a threat on the attacking set-pieces, that was all dwarfed by the other parts of his game. Maguire was way too often caught off guard and out of position, he was sloppy and part of a back four that managed to concede four goals against the likes of Brighton, Leicester, Man City and then four and five against Liverpool in the two games. Now that the season is over, the media are speculating whether Maguire will lose his captaincy. All of that sums up his season quite well.
Will he be a part of Manchester United during the 2022-23 season?
Yes, Harry Maguire will definitely be part of this Manchester United team in the 2022-23 season. That was never the question. Man United need to seriously improve their back four, but it is not like they are planning to do so without him. Maguire’s qualities are still there, it is just that they are often eclipsed by his sloppy style of play which we had the chance to see way too often last season. Ten Hag will have to find a way how to protect Maguire and get the best out of him, how to negate his weaknesses and drastically improve the defensive record. However, with Ten Hag eager to bring at least one new central defender, it will be interesting to see whether Maguire will have his place in the starting lineup or will Raphael Varane and some new player get those chances.