Harry Maguire has been labelled a ‘fantastic example’ by a Champions League centre-forward with the Manchester United centre-back bouncing back during an impressive campaign under Erik ten Hag.
Luuk de Jong knows how it feels to become something of a scapegoat.
The experienced centre-forward joined Newcastle United and Borussia Monchengladbach amid lofty expectations he struggled to live up to, while – during his short-lived spell at Barcelona in 2021/22 – this old-school number nine was viewed by some purists as proof of a club betraying their ‘Cryuffian’ principles in favour of aimless crosses and desperate long-balls chucked vaguely in De Jong’s direction.
A stunning return to form in the Eredivisie with runaway league leaders PSV Eindhoven, then, is all the more satisfying given that a now-33-year-old De Jong spent much of his time in Spain being written off by many a critic.
De Jong has 28 goals in 35 games this season.
And, speaking to The Guardian, De Jong has opened up on his admiration for another player who has bounced back in recent times, Harry Maguire going from something of a walking meme to a key cog in a Manchester United side chasing down a Champions League spot.
Harry Maguire’s Manchester United resurgence ‘an example’
“(I have) incredible respect (for Maguire),” De Jong says. “He is a fantastic example for everyone.
“He always keeps going, always bounces back, even though he is completely razed to the ground by critics.
“99 out of 100 players would not get up after that amount of criticism.”
Maguire was stripped of the captain’s armband by Ten Hag last summer, was placed on the transfer market, and came close to leaving Old Trafford after West Ham saw a bid accepted. One Jadon Sancho could stand to learn a thing or two about the way the former Leicester City stopper put his head down, lifted his shoulders up and set about kick-starting his ailing United career.
United nearly sold Maguire to West Ham
“He’s shown mental strength. Great character. Great personality,” Rio Ferdinand told TNT Sport after Maguire scored the winner against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.
“It’s what you expect from a player of his calibre. We’ve seen him do it countless times for England – that’s why he plays for England.
“He’s trusted by the England manager (Gareth Southgate). You’ve got to build trust, earn trust and gain trust at your football club as well. And he hasn’t been able to do that because of a lack of consistency. Now he wouldn’t like to hear criticism and that’s human – that’s only natural.”
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