TNT Sports pundit Peter Crouch believes that one Manchester United star has “never shirked responsibility” and is showing his real value for Ruben Amorim’s men.
Ruben Amorim has now switched his focus to Thursday for Manchester United’s forthcoming Europa League clash against Athletic Club in the semi-finals.
United defeated 10-man Athletic Club 3-0 in the first-leg encounter at the San Mames Stadium last Thursday and now hold a crucial advantage for the return leg.
The Red Devils will welcome the La Liga club to Old Trafford on 8th May, with kick-off for the Europa League semi-final tie slated for 8pm UK time.
United are on the verge of reaching the Europa League final and the Red Devils need to lift the trophy in order to secure European football for next season.
The Europa League is United’s only route back to the Champions League in the 2025-26 campaign and it would offer Amorim his first silverware as United manager.
United’s momentum from their win over Athletic Club in the first leg in Bilbao was short-lived after the Red Devils’ Premier League defeat on the weekend.
Amorim’s men picked up their 16th Premier League loss of the 2024-25 campaign after Brentford secured a 4-3 win over United at the Gtech Community Stadium.
What Peter Crouch saw from Harry Maguire when he played against the Man Utd and England star
Harry Maguire has faced heavy criticism during his time at Old Trafford and the 32-year-old Manchester United defender has been able to bounce back at the club.
The England international has revived his career at the Red Devils and Harry Maguire has become a key United first-team player for manager Ruben Amorim.
Maguire has suited Amorim’s tactical system at United and the Three Lions star has impressed as the central defender in the three-man backline this season.
The United centre-back lost the Red Devils captaincy under former United manager Erik ten Hag in 2023 and Maguire had previously been tipped with a move away.
However, Maguire fought for his place under Erik ten Hag and has shown his real quality at times for the Red Devils during United’s lacklustre 2024-25 campaign.
Peter Crouch crossed paths with Maguire when the former United captain was at Hull City and Leicester City and he was impressed with his “confidence” at the time.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “I remember playing against him when he was at Hull, and then he went to Leicester.
“That’s what he used to do, he was full of confidence, he used to run, come out with the ball.
“He did it for England, and he’s suffered from a lack of confidence. He’s gaining that back, and he’s always been comfortable with the ball.
“He was getting it [criticism] from all angles, and he’s always been a good player, and he’s never shirked responsibility.
“You’re seeing the character come through now and the player he’s become again.”
Ruben Amorim’s position on Man Utd’s Premier League season and Europa League campaign after the Brentford defeat
Speaking after United and Brentford’s Premier League encounter, Amorim touched on the importance of using the full extent of his squad until the end of the season.
“[Rotation is] good for the players,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“Everybody is playing, we are preparing more than one game, but it’s hard.
“Of course, we want to be competitive, we struggled a lot during these 90 minutes.
“We have to think about the next game and then the Premier League. It’s really hard, but we are doing the best we can to try to manage [the situation] and try to risk in some games.”
United languish in 15th place in the Premier League table and the Red Devils have only three league matches remaining in their 2024-25 campaign.
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