Harry Maguire made an early return from his post-World Cup holiday to earn a place in Leicester City‘s starting XI for the opening fixture of the Premier League, against Manchester United.
Having been heavily linked with a move to Friday’s opponents during the transfer window, the 25-year-old had a chance to show United what they’d missed out on.
However, it was a below-par performance from the Englishman as Leicester lost 2-1 despite looking promising.
Here’s an in-depth analysis of his display.
KEY STATS
Goals – 0
Tackles – 0
Clearances – 3
Blocks – 0
Aerial duels won – 33%
Passing accuracy – 91%
30-SECOND REPORT
It was a quiet display from the defender. There was little he could have done for either United goal, and he stood up well to any United threat directly in his area.
He produced his usual composed passing, but none of the attacking forays he’s become known for, and he was well-marshalled by his United counterparts whenever Leicester had a set-piece.
Thus, his impact was minimised, and he looked short of the commanding defender he’s earned a reputation for being.
GOT RIGHT
Reading of the game – Maguire can always be counted on to read the game well, and he was at it again here as he was often in the right place at the right time to cut out United attacks.
Passing – His distribution is a key trait of Maguire’s game, and although he didn’t play any of the eye-catching passes he’s at times capable of, Maguire ensured Leicester stayed in control of possession when they were dominating the game.
GOT WRONG
For a player so strong in the air as well as in the tackle, those attributes were a little less apparent on Friday. Though he used his strength well when required, he won only one of his three aerial duels, and didn’t make a single tackle in the entire game, a shocking statistic.
He also rarely drove forward with the ball in his usual manner, even when Leicester were in the ascendancy, and thus wasn’t much of an attacking threat.
VERDICT
The commanding defender who became England’s new hero at the World Cup this summer was hardly seen in Manchester on Friday.
Though he was powerless to prevent the two goals and acquitted himself well otherwise, United’s board would have felt vindicated in deciding against spending £75million on him.
Given the reputation he’s earned over the last two seasons, and especially this summer, more is expected of Maguire now, and he didn’t live up to that in this game.
RATING – 6/10
