Peter Schmeichel has given his verdict on who was his man of the match for Manchester United in their tight 1-0 victory over Marco Silva’s Fulham.
The former Manchester United goalkeeper was speaking after Erik ten Hag’s side picked up a priceless three points thanks to a late, great Bruno Fernandes goal in added time.
You might guess Peter Schmeichel would have chosen goalkeeper Andre Onana, who once again looked much more assured for the Red Devils as multiple smart saves kept the London outfit at bay.
However, it was a different United player who Schmeichel was full of praise for after the win in West London.
Schmeichel names man of the match
The Dane, speaking on Premier League Productions, named Harry Maguire as man of the match, and it was fully deserved.
“The best player for me today was Harry Maguire,” Schmeichel said. “He was majestic. He was here, there and everywhere. The adversity he has met, the criticism he has been in for, and how he has turned it around.
“Every coach now will put him in first. He was fantastic and without him today I can’t see how Man Utd would have won today.”
The Red Devils have miraculously jumped to within six points of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal despite five Premier League defeats already this season.
Maguire’s performance
It’s hard to overstate the impact the Englishman has had after his long-awaited return to the first team due to the injury troubles United have been struggling with.
The Englishman has had a remarkable renaissance in the United team but it did look for a few minutes like the defender would be added to the growing list of injury problems after he suffered with concussion.
Against Fulham, Maguire won 80 per cent of his aerial duels, completed 82 per cent of his passes and made nine clearances in a dominant performance.
Nevertheless, the towering defender carried on and was colossal in the heart of the United defence. Two months ago, the defender may well have been the fifth-choice option, now, however, he may well be first choice for the Red Devils.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/BUAzCN0