There is a strong belief at Manchester United that experienced players like Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire are benefiting from the lack of European and cup fixtures this season.
Manchester United beat Everton 1-0 on their first-ever trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to get back to winning ways in the Premier League and retain their place in the top four.
Michael Carrick was forced to make a change in defence after Lisandro Martinez suffered an injury ahead of the match, with Leny Yoro coming into a back four full of experience with Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot.
What is your message to Michael Carrick after the win vs Everton?
It took a 71st-minute winner from substitute Benjamin Sesko to secure three points, but Everton had more than enough opportunities to score after earning 10 corner kicks to test Senne Lammens between the posts.
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw earning plaudits for Man Utd performances
Lammens kept his first away clean sheet since joining United against Everton.
The 23-year-old stopper quickly cemented his place in the team as United’s first-choice goalkeeper, overtaking Altay Bayindir in the pecking order at Old Trafford, but a lot of credit must be given to Carrick for recently settling on a back four.
United duo Maguire and Shaw are among the most experienced players in the squad, but they are among the team’s top performers this season.
Reliable journalist and United We Stand editor, Andy Mitten, states that people at United believe Maguire and Shaw have benefited massively from the lack of European and cup football.
“But it’s been a good season if we’re being optimistic for players to bed in, for players like Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire to only have one game a week because they were picking up injuries,” Mitten told Talk of the Devils podcast.
“And I don’t just say this lightly, I’ve spoken to people there. I know that they’re benefiting from having these big run-ins into matches. You can plan properly. You can benefit from others being in Europe.”
What did you think of Harry Maguire’s performance vs Everton? Surely he deserves a new contract?
Appreciation post for Harry Maguire!
This doesn’t change the fact that United’s main objective is to qualify for the Champions League. Even those who are benefiting from having fewer fixtures will want to be playing in Europe’s biggest competition next season.
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw stats this season
Perhaps the biggest surprise in United’s defence this season is the role Shaw has played, after enduring so many injuries in previous seasons.
The left-back has made 27 appearances this season, and they’ve all come in the Premier League. Shaw played in a back three for many of those matches, picking up one assist and four yellow cards.
Meanwhile, Maguire has had some injury problems, but he has become a key figure in defence due to Matthijs de Ligt’s absence.
Maguire has made 16 appearances, scoring two goals and registering one assist. He will be aiming to build on that to prove himself ahead of a potential contract extension.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
