LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Harry Maguire of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Nobody saw Manchester United’s resurgence under Michael Carrick coming. Until the 44-year-old’s appointment as interim manager until the end of the season, the Old Trafford team was toiling. A feeble finish to the campaign appeared to be on the cards. Now, United is flying and targeting Champions League qualification.
Back-to-back victories over Manchester City and Arsenal have highlighted the talent that Ruben Amorim was never able to make the most of. There has been praise for the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Patrick Dorgu, Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes, all of whom have been liberated by the explosive exit of the Portuguese coach.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Michael Carrick, caretaker head coach of Manchester United, celebrates after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Harry Maguire also deserves a mention. The veteran centre back has come back into the Manchester United lineup under Carrick and was a key figure in the two wins over City and Arsenal that have pushed the Red Devils up to fourth in the Premier League table. Maguire has been central to United’s mini-resurgence.
Against Arsenal in particular, Maguire was a rock. He repelled almost everything the home side threw at Manchester United, showing further signs of a natural understanding with Lisandro Martinez in central defence. While Maguire was the natural defender, Martinez was the player who brought United out from the back with the ball.
At 32 years old, Maguire is very much entering the twilight of his career. He is out of contract at the end of the season and until recently the assumption was that he would be leaving Manchester United this summer. Now, though, there is a debate over this. Should United hand Maguire an extension?
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 17: Harry Maguire of Manchester United and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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On the basis of his last two performances, it’s a no-brainer. However, Manchester United will face a different sort of test against the likes of Fulham and West Ham over the coming weeks. While it could sit back and play in quick transition against City and Arsenal, United will be expected to break down the opposition in these games.
Maguire might have to play further up the pitch and that’s where the England international’s weaknesses could be exposed. He has never possessed much recovery speed. Maguire is a penalty box defender, not someone who can handle being on the halfway line for a proactive team that wants to play with the ball in the opposition half.
Nonetheless, Maguire has reiterated his value as an option over Manchester United’s last two matches. The decision on Maguire’s contract this summer might come down to money and how much he wants to stay, but the 32-year-old’s recent displays have given United something to think about.