It will be a great game to watch for the 60,000 inside the stadium, those tuning in from home on TV... and for Harry Maguire.
The chances of England’s centre-back being given a start by Eric ten Hag are somewhere well south of zero.
Just as Marcus Rashford has flowered in United colours since the World Cup, Maguire has been left languishing as a largely unused back-up act at Old Trafford.
Post-Qatar, the United captain has started just two matches for the club – one against Premier League strugglers Bournemouth and the other in the Carabao Cup against Charlton.
He is not quite the next Phil Jones but if he doesn’t want to become one then it is time for Maguire to accept the reality of his existence under Ten Hag and move on.
Despite a fine World Cup, which restored his confidence and redoubled his determination to fight for his spot at United, he has run into a brick wall on his return.
This was the period when his stock should have risen with United’s Dutch manager but it hasn’t. If anything it has fallen even further.
After Luke Shaw’s successful trial in the position, Maguire is probably now fifth-choice centre-back at United.
Some managers have a sweet spot for certain of their players, others do not.
This story is from the January 22, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
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This story is from the January 22, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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