Rio Ferdinand has lavished huge praise on one Manchester United star’s “character and personality” after becoming a key player for Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s woeful 2024-25 Premier League season will come to an end in May and the Red Devils have only three league matches remaining.
The Red Devils suffered their 16th Premier League defeat of the season on Sunday afternoon after Brentford defeated United 4-3 at the Gtech Community Stadium.
United languish in 15th place in the Premier League table and the Red Devils are now unable to finish the current season in the top half of the table.
Ruben Amorim’s men have only managed 10 wins from 35 league matches and the Red Devils will end the season with their worst finish in the Premier League era.
The 40-year-old United manager must now rely on their Europa League campaign to secure their return to European football for the 2025-26 season at Old Trafford.
United are through to the semi-finals of the Europa League and the Red Devils could find their way back into the Champions League if they can lift the trophy this season.
Rio Ferdinand singles out Harry Maguire for his Man Utd resurgence at Old Trafford
Harry Maguire was stripped of the Manchester United captaincy under former Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag in 2023 and was once tipped to leave Old Trafford.
However, the 32-year-old former Red Devils skipper remained at the Premier League club and Harry Maguire fought for his place in the United first team.
Maguire had a career resurgence under Erik ten Hag before the ex-United manager was sacked in 2024, but he has continued to impress under Ruben Amorim.
The England international has fitted Amorim’s tactical system at United and Maguire has become a key figure in the three-man backline for the Red Devils.
Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Maguire has shown a desire to “work hard” and “knuckle down” after he fought to save his career at United.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “When you see what he’s had to go through at Manchester United, he’s been ridiculed, sometimes laughed at and he’s been made the butt of a lot of jokes.
“The character and personality he’s shown to withstand that and stay there when many people were saying, ‘He might as well just go.’ I probably would’ve said he should’ve gone for his own mental health.
“He’s stayed there, and he’s shown [what happens] if you work hard, knuckle down and go, ‘You know what, I’m good enough to be here, and I’m going to wait for my next chance, and I’m going to take it.’ He’s a great example.”
Ruben Amorim admits that he took a risk with Harry Maguire during Man Utd’s Premier League defeat to Brentford
Harry Maguire was forced to climb off the bench in the first half of United’s Premier League encounter with Brentford after an injury blow to defender Matthijs de Ligt.
United manager Amorim was resting Maguire for the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals and he admitted that he took the risk of playing the player.
Speaking on Matthijs de Ligt’s injury, he told MUTV after the 4-3 defeat: “I don’t know, we will check.
“I hope it is [only] a small issue because I am concerned, not only about this game [against Athletic Club, but about the squad for the next year.”
According to Manchester United’s official website, Amorim told the BBC in a separate interview: “I hope it’s nothing serious. We took a risk with [Harry] Maguire [having to come on].
“[Luke] Shaw had to go off [at half-time] because we need players for Thursday.”
United will host Athletic Club for the return leg of the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday and kick-off for the match is slated for 8pm UK time at Old Trafford.
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