On this day in 2019

As someone who was totally against his signing initially, I actually think he has been quite good.

For £80m I think people expected a defender in the Rio/Vidic league - he isnt that and probably won't ever be, but I don't think there is any doubt he has improved us.

I've also seen some people say he's no better on the ball than Smalling, which I think is quite bizarre.

I still have doubts about his partnership with Lindelof. I don't think they compliment each other that well. But right now I wouldnt have a new CB as high a priority as some do.

“I've also seen some people say he's no better on the ball than Smalling, which I think is quite bizarre.“

Yeah; there’s debatable, then there’s plain wrong, then there’s just bizarre.

And that opinion definitely falls in the latter category.

The fee is not his fault although he was overpriced of course.

I think he's done well and we could just do with a Pally to his Bruce. Then we'd be set for a while.

Another good thing about him is that he's always available for selection. A quality we've missed for quite a while.

The term ‘Slabhead’ is now in everyday usage thanks to this wonderful signing

There's been an improvement. Maybe not a lot in terms of quality but I think he brings a calmness to the defence and it becomes less panicky. Of course having Wan Bassaka has also played a large part in the improvement in defence also. Is he much better than Smalling? Perhaps not but he is better at bringing the ball out and a team who wants to be on the front foot needs a defender like that. His flaws are obvious and can't be improved upon, his pace and mobility etc. but as he gains more experience his positioning might cover for that.

United definitely more solid but probably £30m overpriced.

Sadly Maguire will always be judged against his price tag.

Overall he's been a good signing - I'd liken him to Steve Bruce, who was also very expensive (for the time).

Personally I'd like to see him chip in with a few more headed goals.

Overpriced no doubt but a good player and character to have.

He’s certainly improved the back line and has been top 5 in the league this season in his position imo.

comment by Metro.⚽️ (U6770)
posted 2 hours, 5 minutes ago

United definitely more solid but probably £30m overpriced.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We tend to do that, same with pogs imo. Maguire has been good though, gets pass marks for his first year.

Something I posted about Maguire a couple of weeks earlier:

“He’s been one of the most consistent, stand-out CBs in the league this season.

He’s played (every minute of?) every game.

Amongst CBs, he has the 3rd highest number of interceptions in the PL, 10th highest number of clearances, 3rd highest number of aerials won, 3rd highest number of short passes completed, 3rd highest number of long passes completed and highest number of key passes.

He’s incredibly infrequently dispossessed (5 times on the league all season) and has a pass completion rate as good as Matic and better than Pogba.

We know he’s slow. We know he doesn’t have acceleration, doesn’t make quick decisions, and doesn’t pass the ball as sharply as we’d like.

But he’s had a successful season, unquestionably.“