Fascinating Stats Show Exactly Why Harry Maguire Is The Premier League's Best Defender

Harry Maguire has been mocked and criticised for some of his high profile mistakes this season for Manchester United, but the stats suggest something different.

Whilst Maguire and his United teammates managed to keep a fifth clean sheet of the season against a 'big six' opponent, in their latest 0-0 draw with a rival, things haven't always gone so smoothly.

The former Leicester City centre back has made recent mistakes that have led to goals against Newcastle United and Everton, and they aren't the first ones this season.

It led to one pundit saying that the United captain shouldn't start for England at the Euros this summer, however the stats are in the defender's favour.

According to one fan on social media he actually leads his top six rivals in many aspects of defending and leads the entire league in some of those too.

The 27-year-old was involved in a peculiar moment following the Chelsea game on Sunday, after United felt they should have been awarded a penalty.

After the match Luke Shaw claimed the referee had told United's captain he couldn't award a penalty because it would 'cause a lot of talk,' but the former Hull City payer said his teammate misheard him.

Maguire cost United £80 million in July 2019, making him the world's most expensive defender ever, beating the record set by Virgil van Dijk.

It's understandable why fans expect him to be good and it's hard to argue he's had the same impact at United that Van Dijk has had at Liverpool.

There is no doubt that some of his high profile mistakes have been near inexcusable but he's also been better than many give him credit for, and his ability to bring the ball out of defence has been important for Solskajer's side and England.

Maguire's ability with the ball at his feet has been important for England. Image: PA Images

Despite the positives, it's clear that United still have issues at the back, especially if they want to close the gap to rivals Manchester City at the top of the table.

Solskjaer has been linked with a move for a centre back this summer, and Real Madrid are reportedly ready to let the Premier League side sign Raphael Varane this summer.

Topics: Harry Maguire, Manchester United, Premier League

Ryan Sidle

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