Former England manager Sam Allardyce has identified a standout Manchester United star under Michael Carrick amid Senne Lammens’ influence for the Red Devils.
Senne Lammens has been widely credited for his impactful debut season at Old Trafford after Manchester United signed him from Royal Antwerp last September.
The 23-year-old Belgian shot-stopper ascended to the United No 1 role and brought much-needed stability to the Red Devils backline in the 2025-26 campaign.
Lammens signed off his first full season with United by picking up eight clean sheets from 32 Premier League matches after his initial £18.1m transfer in 2025.
Harry Maguire has been left out of England’s World Cup squad ❌🦁 did he deserve a spot on the plane?
Maguire has admitted he is "shocked and gutted". What are your thoughts on Tuchel's decision?😳
Forget Senne Lammens, Sam Allardyce pinpoints what Harry Maguire has brought to the table for Man Utd
Outside of Senne Lammens’ strong showing, Michael Carrick has benefited from the resurgence in form of Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire.
Harry Maguire had been featuring sporadically under Ruben Amorim in the 2025-26 campaign before the former United manager was sacked back in January.
United legend Carrick turned to Maguire amid the absence of Matthijs de Ligt and the England international established himself as a linchpin defensive figure.
Speaking on his podcast, Sam Allardyce insisted that the 33-year-old former Man Utd captain was one of the pivotal reasons for United’s stability in recent months.
“Well, you know, I think that, he was the backbone of the England side for such a long time, like I mean, and I watched him play since he’s been brought back, and he’s one of the reasons that the stability has happened over Manchester United because defensively they’ve become stable, and that has allowed Manchester United to win more games,” he said on No Tippy Tappy Football.
“And I think that there’s the other side of Harry Maguire, without a doubt, he’s one of the best passers of the ball as a centre-half in the country. You can come out from the back as everybody talks about as easily.”
🔴⚪️⚫️Sum up the 2025/26 season for Manchester United…
A fourth highest points tally since Sir Alex Ferguson retired!⚡️
Sam Allardyce is fully convinced that Thomas Tuchel overlooked Man Utd star Harry Maguire for England’s World Cup squad
Harry Maguire earned a call-up back to the England team for the March break, but the Man Utd star was snubbed for Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad selection.
Allardyce insisted that Maguire’s limitations as a defender, specifically his pace, could be overcome if Thomas Tuchel picked Marc Guehi to play alongside him for England.
“Now, there is always that question mark about his pace, which you have to read the game better now,” he continued.
“Bobby Moore was very, very slow, but read the game exceptionally well. So, if you put somebody like [Marc] Guehi, who’s one of the quickest [next to him], you’ve got a decent combination there.
“So, based on the people who’ve slotted in instead of him, you know, I think he’s better. I’m not being unfair here, but you know, I’d say Harry Maguire is a better choice than Dan Burn.
“As much as, you know, Dan Burn has had a difficult time at Newcastle this year.”
Maguire broke his silence on his England snub ahead of Tuchel naming his 26-man Three Lions squad for this summer’s World Cup in North America.
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