DAY HARRY FINDS HE’S MADE RIGHT
THE showdown between Leicester and Manchester United this afternoon has been billed as the £20million match – the minimum financial prize for the winners who gain entry into the Champions League.
It’s much more than this, however. In truth, this is the Harry Maguire match; the £80million game.that was the fee paid by United last summer to lure Maguire away from Leicester, a world-record price for a defender and the clearest symbol of serious intent from Old Trafford.
Fate, delicious and mischievous fate, has now intervened – putting Maguire’s old club against his new one for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
The result will decide whether Maguire made the right decision to leave Leicester in search of greater glory and success with United.
Or whether he should have stayed with the Foxes.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appreciates the incredible irony of the situation, saying:
“That’s football for you. Harry had a great a time there at Leicester and he was grateful playing for the club.
“But the emotions and feelings that Harry has for Leicester, he must leave them aside for 90 minutes.
“You don’t want defenders to be emotional anyway, and I know that Harry will be fine. It will be a big game to see how far we have come mentally, how strong we are going into the last game of the season.”
Maguire is one of the very few outfielders who have played every minute of every match in this season’s elongated Premier League campaign.
He is Mr Dependable – powerful, fast, strong in the tackle, good on the ball, and amid occasional lapses of concentration has shown enough character to be appointed captain of United.
Most pundits agree that he was overpriced at £80m, but that’s not his problem. Maguire is not the world’s best central defender, but he is very good, and England’s first choice. Solskjaer is thankful for his reliability, saying: “You’ve got to be able to churn out games, play time and time again.
“He’s never asked for a rest. He plays midweek and weekend, and he’s that type of personality who wants to be out there on the pitch.
“That’s a leader. He’s a character you’d say you’d like to follow. Some are technical leaders, some are leaders by voice – he’s got the lot.”
Leicester knew that, but £80m was too much to reject, and they have flourished in Maguire’s absence.
This afternoon comes the final reckoning. United need just a draw, while Leicester require victory to guarantee them a place in the top four, although a draw would be