“How is he not playing?”: United star celebrates important milestone as Wayne Rooney demands Amorim start him

Harry Maguire came off the bench against Manchester City on Sunday, September 14, at the Etihad but couldn’t stop the home side from picking up all three points.

Despite the 3-0 defeat, Maguire managed to hit a personal milestone during the game. The 33 year old became the tenth centre-back to register 250 appearances for the club in the Premier League era.

Leading the chart, of course, is the legendary Rio Ferdinand, who racked up 455 appearances for the English giants in his career.

Maguire is among some esteemed company, with Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce and Nemanja Vidic also in the mix. His former centre-back partner Victor Lindelof is on the list as well.

Maguire has lost prominence under Ruben Amorim

Maguire enjoyed an impressive redemption arc under former manager Erik ten Hag. The Englishman was stripped of the armband in the summer of 2023 and was close to a departure from Old Trafford as well.

However, he managed to turn things around and wrestled his way back into the Dutchman’s plans by the end of the season. Unfortunately, Amorim’s arrival has pushed him down the pecking order once again.

The former Leicester City defender was in and out of the first team last season, and his situation has hardly improved this year. Maguire is yet to start a game in the Premier League this season, with all three appearances coming from the bench.

The Englishman’s only start was in the humiliating defeat to Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup Second Leg, where, interestingly, he also scored a goal.

United legend Wayne Rooney, though, believes that his countryman should be starting regularly for his former team.

United lack leaders at the back

Amorim opted for a back three of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Luke Shaw for the first four Premier League games this season.

However, speaking on The BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show, Wazza pointed out that Maguire needs to start because United lack leaders at the back.

“Harry should be starting. I heard Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink talking about it and how much England missed Harry Maguire at the Euros because he’s a leader,” said Rooney.

“I’m sat there thinking how is he not playing with the three defenders who are playing. He should be in there, there’s a lack of leadership.”

Maguire has scored 16 goals and set up eight more during his time with United. He has won the FA Cup and the EFL Cup so far.

Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

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