Manchester United play the re-arranged fixture with Brentford this week. One of the interesting calls for manager Ralf Rangnick is whether to recall Harry Maguire.
Maguire has not featured since a shaky performance against Burnley, with Phil Jones then stepping in for him, and then Raphael Varane.
Now the time could be right for Maguire to come back into the side, irrespective of the captaincy. Here is a look at three reasons why Rangnick could turn to the £80 million defender.
Lindelof and Varane conceded two
Maguire sat the game out on the bench against Aston Villa after Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane had kept a clean sheet against the same side in the FA Cup a week earlier.
It was a logical decision, and neither Lindelof or Varane deserved to lose their place. This time, Ralf Rangnick may re-think.
United conceded two goals at Villa Park, more than in any game under Rangnick’s management to date. It’s hard to let that slide when there is a big name centre-back sitting on the bench.
Maguire is fully rested
The advantage Harry Maguire has over the duo is that he is fully fresh, fully recovered from the impact injury which caused him to first miss the Wolves game.
A little time out of the side will have worked for Maguire mentally, amid a tough stretch, and he will be raring to go and show what he can do.
This will be United’s second match in four days, and Rangnick needs to rotate. This feels like the ideal time for Maguire to come back into the side.
Ivan Toney battle
Brentford striker Ivan Toney will post a physical battle for United’s defence, the type in which Victor Lindelof has been found wanting in the past.
Toney wins an average of 4.8 aerial duels per game, per WhoScored.com, and this is the sort of contest which suits Harry Maguire.
Maguire leads United with 2.6 won per game, followed by Raphael Varane (1.9) and Victor Lindelof (1.6).
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