United's young squad 'needs someone like Maguire to look up to'

[Getty Images] The Devils' Advocate podcast co-host Joe McGrath says Harry Maguire is going to be "a big player" for Manchester United this coming season. The 33-year-old defender signed a new one-year contract with United in April, with the option to extend for a further year. Maguire has enjoyed a revival under Michael Carrick, starting all 10 matches since his appointment in mid-January. After being appointed skipper by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just five months after this £80m arrival from Leicester City in 2019, Maguire fell out of favour under Erik ten Hag and was stripped of the captaincy in July 2023. Shortly afterwards, a deal was agreed for a move to West Ham but he decided to stay at Old Trafford. "He's going to be a big player for us this season," McGrath said on the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devil's Advocate podcast. "As a former captain, he has a great sense of leadership in the dressing room. Even though he isn't captain, you can still see he rallies players around him. "There is a young squad there at United that needs someone like Maguire to look up to. Possibly that has been what we've been missing - those experienced players who have been there and done big games, and can guide those youngsters too. "I am hoping that is the sort of role he plays. He's always well measured and he speaks about big situations." Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds