Harry Maguire was unavailable for Ruben Amorim’s first match as Manchester United head coach.
The 31-year-old has been sidelined with a calf injury with his last appearance coming under Erik ten Hag in the goalless draw with Aston Villa in early October.
Ruben Amorim was faced with a centre-back crisis for his first match as Manchester United head coach with Maguire joined by Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof in the treatment room.
As a result, Amorim experimented with Noussair Mazraoui at centre-back in a back three alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Jonny Evans.
Maguire has been tipped to shine under Amorim having previously played in a back three at Leicester City and England. He will be desperate to return and prove his worth to the new United boss.
Harry Maguire in complete agreement with Ruben Amorim
Amorim cut a frustrated figure against Ipswich after watching his United players struggle to adapt to his style of play.
He sympathised with his players, especially those who only had limited training before Sunday’s clash, but Amorim did point out that he thought his players were overthinking against Ipswich.
After full-time, Amorim said: “They are thinking too much because things are so different.”
Now, former club captain Harry Maguire has echoed what his new head coach said by suggesting his teammates were too concerned about their positioning and tactical instructions.
Speaking to Sky Sports Premier League, Maguire said: “I think, when you come from one style to another style – like the manager said in his interview after – I think people on the pitch are probably thinking too much about where they want to be.
“But at the end of the day it’s a football match. Go and be better than your opponent and go and win the football match.
“Within that, play with his principles, but I think we overthought the game against Ipswich.
“I think that’s natural because the boys are wanting to play the way the new manager wants to play. I think we have got to let it adapt fluidly and not force it.”
Where Harry Maguire will fit in Ruben Amorim’s plans
Amorim is right to stick to his 3-4-3 system through thick and thin, even if United have to suffer in the short-term.
For that system to work, he is going to need plenty of depth at centre-back and Maguire certainly has a role to play.
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Maguire has arguably played the best football of his career in a back three with England and Leicester. It allows him to be aggressive in his pressing and stay tight to opponents.
Former manager Harry Redknapp said he would be “amazed” if Maguire doesn’t become a key player under Amorim due to his leadership and attitude off the pitch.
Maguire will have to compete with the likes of Martinez and Leny Yoro for a spot at the back, but it could be a golden ticket to reviving his United career.
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