English player Harry Maguire speaks about Alejandro Garnacho
Harry Maguire is one of the English players to have tasted the unsavoury side of fans. The experienced skipper spoke about young Alejandro Garnacho who plays alongside him at Manchester United recently.
Though Maguire has been a subject of attacks from especially English fans and internet users, it is undisputed that he has legit things to say about becoming a high-class player. He himself has reached that milestone, though encountering some difficulties at the present time.
Younger players have a lot to learn from Maguire, everyone would agree. The Englishman surprised the world last year when he weathered mental bombardments from both home and away fans while playing for his country under Gareth Southgate. The occasional flop even went ahead to win a personal award the same year.
‘Slab Head’ was being interviewed by manutd.com recently when he said the following about Alejandro Garnacho — a former academy student at United who now plays in the first team:
‘He’s still got a lot to learn, but he’s an excellent player and a great talent.
‘He’s a player that I’m sure is going to have a bright future for this club, if he keeps his head down and keeps working hard.
‘I think you’ve seen in glimpses this season that he’s got exceptional talent. I’m sure he’ll keep going and help the team in the future.’
The Red Devils’ coach, Erik Ten Hag has given several academy players chances to represent the club on the big stage. Maguire said that the move was characteristic of the Red Devils.
‘I think this club is always built on bringing players through the Academy, we have an excellent record.
‘The Academy has always done really well and brought great players through and I think this manager has always proven that if you do well, you come up and you train, you get the opportunities and you get given the chance to impress.
‘And he’s not scared of putting players in and giving them opportunities to play on the big stage. That’s when it matters in first-team football.’
It is expected that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25% takeover of the club with its attendant consequences will start changing the club’s image on league tables soon.
If Maguire were retained at the club, it will provide more chance for him to right last year’s wrongs.