‘Look how his teammates react’ – Matt Le Tissier impressed by Man United player who’s loved in the dressing room
Harry Maguire can become an important player for Man United once again this season despite uncertainty around his long-term future at the club.
That is according to Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier, who exclusively told Football Insider that he believes the centre-back has given Ruben Amorim a decision to make on including him more regularly following his late winner against Liverpool.
Harry Maguire has been a wholly divisive figure at Old Trafford over the last few years, but he enjoyed somewhat of a comeback last season after Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag.
He was handed the captain’s armband on occasion and even scored a dramatic late winner against Lyon in the Europa League in 2024/25, while Maguire’s contract was also extended by Man United in January to run until June 2026.
The 32-year-old has figured fleetingly in the early stages of this term, but he was the hero against Liverpool last time out, and could now become a more permanent fixture in the starting eleven going forward.
Maguire saved United against Liverpool but is yet to sign a new contract
Reports in August revealed that Maguire was set to sign a new United contract as he aims to finish his career at the club, but no steps have yet been taken to extend his current deal beyond the end of 2025-26.
He impressed in his first league start of the campaign against Chelsea last month as he provided an assist for Casemiro’s goal, but did struggle against Brentford a week later prior to his side’s trip to Anfield last Sunday (19 October).
The centre-back grabbed the winner for the Red Devils in the 84th minute as he headed home Bruno Fernandes’ cross, and United legend Peter Schmeichel backed Maguire to be given the captaincy full-time once again following his impressive performance.
Wayne Rooney also insisted that Maguire should make the World Cup squad next year, but he will likely want to get his future at Old Trafford sorted out before anything else.
Le Tissier thinks Maguire is respected at United and can become a regular again from now on
The Daily Mail (21 October) have reported that a firm decision over Maguire’s future is yet to be made, and formal contract talks have not taken place, so there is no offer on the table as yet.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former England and Southampton striker Le Tissier backed Maguire to earn a new deal by becoming an important part of Amorim’s squad this season while praising his character after some tough times both on and off the pitch.
He said: “I think he’s certainly given the manager something to think about in terms of whether he starts on a consistent basis now. It’s been a tough period for him in his Man United career, but you know what? The one thing I would say about Harry Maguire is that you kind of never really saw him sulking.
“He might be sat on the bench, but he seems to have been like a really decent pro, and perhaps that reaction from the players tells you that that’s exactly what he is and that he is a key part of that squad and good for morale.
“The players did seem genuinely happy for him and fair play to him for sticking around because it would have been easy for him to have chucked it all in at Man United at some point.
“When things weren’t going well for him, it would have been easy for somebody to just go, ‘I’ll give you 30 million quid, let’s take him off your hands.’ I’m sure at some point Man United would have snapped their hand off for that.
“But I’ve got a lot of time for people who stick around and have belief that they can get back in the team and do a decent job for their club, and that’s what’s happened to Harry, so well done to him.”