Ex-footballer turned professional coach Stuart Pearce has come out in passionate defence of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, insisting that the Premier League clubs should be jumping at the chance to sign the England international.
It’s safe to say that Harry Maguire‘s time at Man United hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing since he joined the club for a world-record fee back in 2019 and now having dropped out of the first-team squad over the past season or so, he has been left somewhat in limbo under Erik ten Hag.
However, with the 30-year-old’s future now more uncertain than ever after being stripped of the captaincy last month, Pearce seems to think that other teams in the English top flight should be racing to give Maguire a new home, stating: “If I was a Premier League manager, I would be doing everything I can to bring Harry Maguire to my football club.
In fact, his praise of the six-foot-four centre-back has been the case for some time, aligning with the likes of Luke Shaw in the belief that he receives a disproportionate amount of criticism. Here he is talking about it Maguire’s importance in the England squad back in November:
🏴 “Maguire has become crucial!”
🤨 “But the footballing public are still desperate to have a dig at him.”
👀 “Without him against the USA, I don’t think we would have kept a clean sheet!”
Stuart Pearce believes Harry Maguire is ‘crucial’ for England and still has plenty to give at club level.
Speaking with Sportsbeat (via the Mirror), the 61-year-old said, “For what he stands for as a player — his age, experience, he’s comfortable on the ball and [is] capable of goals in the opposite box – I can’t see any negatives.
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“For me, I would do my level best to get him out of United if I was a manager at another team. It tells you a lot when ten Hag isn’t saying, ‘I want Harry Maguire moved on’. That tells you that his attitude in training is spot on.”
The Dutchman himself has reportedly told Maguire that he “doesn’t want him to leave”, according to Sam Matterface on talkSPORT, and could certainly do the with the cover in the event either one of his first-choice centre-backs gets injured again. This is a role Pearce also believes Maguire has already accepted.
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“[ten Hag] sees his worth”, said the former Manchester City defender and manager; “he doesn’t see him as a first-team starter but whenever you need a game seeing out, he puts Maguire in the heart of defence to make sure they keep the ball out the net.”
“When he comes off the bench in the 85th minute, he gets straight into the game”, continued Pearce. “He does the job the manager wants him to do and that says a lot about his character.”
He concluded by saying, “Knowing Harry, if he stays at United, he’ll do everything he can to make life uncomfortable for ten Hag with his performances to get back into the team.”
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Despite a fair bit of fuss being made after a bit of a heated exchange with new keeper, André Onana, there are some fans who feel Man United’s number five has shown plenty of positive signs in pre-season, but whether or not he’ll be staying in Manchester is anyone’s guess.
Would you keep Harry Maguire at the club or is it time for him to depart from Old Trafford and take on a new challenge?
If you don’t rate Harry Maguire highly then you need to reassess how you view the sport.
He’s special on the ball whilst also being elite aerially & a leader. His only faults are a lack of speed + he can’t receive with his back to goal like ten Hag wants.pic.twitter.com/EzICPP3jFb
Manchester United to wear special one-off shirt for important awareness campaign
Danny Jones
Just to pre-empt any Manchester United fans fearing they’re still in total delirium the next time they see that iconic red shirt, we can confirm it isn’t just your rose-tinted glasses deceiving you – the club will be wearing a special one-off shirt with a notable difference very soon.
All eyes may now be on Wednesday, 21 May but this limited edition kit has already caught the eye of many supporters for one very obvious reason.
In case you haven’t seen it for yourselves already, Man United have confirmed that both the men’s and women’s squads will be will be wearing a slight variation on their home shirt for their next two matches as part of a special campaign for an important charitable cause.
Joining forces with their usual primary shirt sponsors Snapdragon and global health campaigners Product RED, this one-off alternative strip will be unveiled on the pitch this week.
Product Red, or simply (RED) as it will read on the jersey itself, is a worldwide charity that’s been working to fight global health crises since 2006.
(RED)’s key aim is to end the AIDS epidemic and related injustices by raising money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
The organisation officially partnered with the club and Snapdragon back in January in an effort to help drive awareness and generate further backing for their work – it just so happens that teaming up with one the planet’s biggest brands and one synomyous with that colour made for the perfect collaboration.
With that in mind, putting together a one-off Man United kit with (RED) slap bang in the middle as is close to a commercial/charitable tap-in as you’re probably ever going to get.
Set to be debuted by Manchester United Women in their WSL fixutre against Arsenal this Saturday, 10 May and then again by Ruben Amorim’s side in the Premier League the following day (Sun, 11 May); plus, a select few limited edition replicas shirts will be made available for fans to purchase.
Be first in the know, Reds 👀
Get notified when our limited-edition @RED collection drops ⤵️#MUFC || @Snapdragon
It goes without saying that given the nature of the front-of-shirt sponsor swap, these will no doubt become somewhat of a special item among kit collectors from the off.
More importantly, however, the funds raised through selling these one-off Man United shirts will provide much-needed income for the non-profit and their crucial efforts.
The unveiling of the comes not long after the bedlam that ensued inside Old Trafford during the second leg against Athletic Club, in which United booked their return trip back to Bilbao for the Europa League final, leaving plenty of fans of seeing nothing but the colour red ever since.
MUWFC also sealed their spot in the Women’s Champions League next season to with an important point in the Manchester Derby this past weekend, confirming a finish above Man City this year.
Safe to say it’s been a good few days to be a (RED).
AO Arena to host huge Europa League Final fan zone after Manchester United victory
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary AO Arena will once again host an almighty football fan zone later this year, welcoming in fans for the Europa League Final.
The huge venue previously hosted a Road to Victory fan zone for the Euros, and is now ready to replicate all the atmosphere and excitement of the beautiful game once again.
This time it’s in honour of Manchester United, who romped their way into the Europa League Final this evening with a spectacular 4-1 victory (7-1 on aggregate) over Athletic Club.
The Red Devils will be heading to that same team’s home stadium of San Mamés in Bilbao in Spain on 21 May 2025, and you’ll be able to watch all the action right here at home in Manchester.
The AO Arena Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be presented by Red Square.
If you think that name rings a bell, you’re right: they’re the same folks behind the regular events held over at Victoria Warehouse for any big United games, and 21 May will be no different – other than being arguably their biggest date ever.
There’ll be space for thousands upon thousands of football fans who’ll be able to watch Ruben Amorim’s side potentially take home their first piece of silverware since his arrival.
If you saw the scenes at Road to Victory in the AO during Euro 2024, you’ll know how unbelievable a venue this is to watch the footy.
As the promoters have billed it: “Get ready to immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the Europa League Final, presented by Red Square.
“Join us for an unforgettable event as we bring together passionate Manchester United fans for the largest indoor fan park extravaganza ever witnessed!
“MANCHESTER UNITED head to the UEL final on Wednesday, 21st May – Secure your tickets now!”
The Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be at the AO Arena on 21 May.
Danny Jones -
4th August 2023 
