Maguire's Odd Love Letter to Amorim: A United Fan's Headache
Look, it's been a rough few years for Manchester United fans. We've seen more managerial changes than major trophies since Sir Alex retired. So when Harry Maguire, a player who's weathered more than his share of storms at Old Trafford, starts dishing out praise for a manager who never even coached him, it raises an eyebrow. Maguire recently suggested Ruben Amorim, the former Sporting CP boss, deserved "credit" for United's direction, citing "great ideas" Amorim supposedly had during internal club discussions. My first thought? What direction is that, Harry? We finished eighth in the Premier League last season, our worst finish since 1990.
Thing is, Amorim was indeed a name floated around Carrington for months, especially when Erik ten Hag's job looked shakier than a Jenga tower in a hurricane. Amorim had a solid run at Sporting, winning the Primeira Liga in 2020-21, their first title in 19 years. He followed that up with two Taça da Liga titles. That's real silverware, not just "great ideas." But United ultimately stuck with Ten Hag, a decision that still has plenty of folks scratching their heads after that FA Cup win against City. It feels like Maguire's comments are a bit of a backhanded compliment to the current setup, or maybe just a peek behind the curtain at the constant managerial merry-go-round.
The Defender's Dilemma
Maguire himself had a rollercoaster 2023-24 campaign. He started just 16 Premier League games, a far cry from his days as a £80 million signing and club captain. Remember that stretch last fall when he was actually playing well? From October through December, Maguire was a consistent starter, putting in strong shifts against the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle. He even picked up the Premier League Player of the Month award for November. Then injuries hit. A muscle problem kept him out of the FA Cup final, and he missed significant time in April, including key league matches against Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
It’s easy to forget that not long ago, Maguire was being linked with a move away, with West Ham reportedly making a £30 million bid last summer. He stayed, fought for his place, and showed some real resilience. So when he talks about "direction," you have to wonder if he's thinking about his own shifting fortunes as much as the club's. He’s seen managers come and go – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, now Ten Hag. Maybe he's just tired of the instability, and Amorim represented a fresh start, a clear plan, even if it was just theoretical.
A Club Adrift, Even With a Trophy
Here’s the thing: winning the FA Cup was a massive relief, especially beating City 2-1 at Wembley. But let’s not pretend it magically fixed everything. The league form was dire. We conceded 58 goals in the Premier League, our highest tally in a single season since 1976-77. That's not a stat that screams "great ideas" are being implemented, no matter who's talking to whom. The squad looks disjointed, the injury list is perpetually long, and the transfer strategy often feels more reactive than proactive.
Maguire's praise for Amorim, a manager known for his tactical rigidity and 3-4-3 system, hints at a desire for structure that United often lacked. Ten Hag's system, especially with the constant personnel changes due to injuries, often looked chaotic. While Amorim might have had a vision, it’s a big leap to say he deserves credit for United’s current trajectory, which still feels more like a meandering river than a clear path. My hot take? Maguire’s comments are less about Amorim's genius and more about a deep-seated frustration within the squad over the lack of a consistent, long-term plan at the club.
United will finish outside the top four again next season, no matter who's in charge.