Manchester United: Michael Carrick must unleash Harry Maguire | OneFootball

Manchester United will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to three games under interim manager Michael Carrick when they welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford for their Premier League clash this evening.

The Red Devils advanced to the last-16 of the Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Villarreal before holding league leaders Chelsea to a 1-1 draw last time out.

Club captain Harry Maguire was forced to watch on from the sidelines as his teammates toiled to a point at Stamford Bridge, though, as he served a one-match ban following his red card against Watford.

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His dismissal in what turned out to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final game in charge summed up the England international’s season to date. One of rash decisions, amateurish mistakes and moments of madness.

However, Maguire appeared to turn a corner against the Yellow Submarine. Solskjaer’s eventual exit seemed to lift a weight off of the 28-year-old’s shoulders, and he put in a performance not seen since the European Championship.

“Much better than in recent weeks,” wrote the Manchester Evening News journalist Tyrone Marshall after awarding him a seven out of 10. “Good on the ball and defended calmly and purposefully. A performance he badly needed.”

And if Carrick wants to secure all three points against an in-form Arsenal side, then he must unleash the £45m-rated beast, allowing him to build some rhythm and momentum heading into the busy festive schedule.

Last season, Maguire was one of United’s standout performers as he played a pivotal part in their second-place Premier League finish.

As per WhoScored, he won an average of 3.4 aerial duels per league game, three clearances and 0.8 blocks, placing him first for each metric when compared to his teammates and highlighting his important role in the side.

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Maguire’s eye-catching performances at the heart of defence earned several plaudits, including former Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann.

“You have Harry Maguire, who kind of frightens everybody when this guy rolls through midfield,” Klinsmann told The Athletic. “He reminds me a bit of Lucio, the Brazilian centre-back — he looks like a Mustang running through everybody.”

And ex-United centre-back Nemanja Vidic also showered his successor with praise, further illustrating Maguires credentials as a top-class defender when at the top of his game.

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“When I look at Maguire I see a defender who is good at everything, 8/10 at everything,” Vidic wrote in The Athletic.

“He’s not as good on the ball or as fast as Rio Ferdinand was for example, and he doesn’t tackle or head like I did, but he has quality across his game. He’s fast enough, he’s strong enough, he can jump and play the ball, his positioning is fine.”

Therefore, Carrick must make the bold decision to reinstall Maguire from the off this evening, restoring United’s leader and giving his side the best opportunity to claim all three points.