Next week, two significant events will mark Harry Maguire's calendar. One is his 33rd birthday. The other is a re-trial on the island of Syros, Greece, stemming from a family holiday incident in Mykonos in 2020, where he was accused of assaulting police and bribery.

Four previous postponements mean the trial's timing remains uncertain. Even if it proceeds, Maguire is not required to be present. He will likely be at St James' Park, fulfilling his familiar role of anchoring Manchester United's defense against Newcastle.

Harry Maguire after Manchester United's victory over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, UK, on the evening of 23/2. *Photo: Reuters*

These two milestones, one personal and one legal, encapsulate the ups and downs the English center-back has experienced during his six years at Old Trafford. His career there has constantly fluctuated between extremes: from being the world's most expensive center-back to being booed by his own fans, from an irreplaceable pillar to a struggling substitute, from a symbol of stability to a scapegoat during a turbulent period.

Maguire joined Manchester United in 2019 for 80 million GBP (108 million USD) and was quickly handed the captain's armband under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He was a central figure in the defense and a leader in the dressing room.

However, football is dynamic. As the team's performance declined, Maguire's individual errors were magnified through the lens of high expectations and his hefty transfer fee. The Mykonos incident in 2020 further overshadowed his career. Although the subsequent 21-month suspended sentence was nullified under Greek law and re-trials have been repeatedly postponed, the legal shadow continues to follow him and his family.

At times, the pressure extended beyond the pitch. In 2022, during a pre-season tour in Australia, Maguire was booed by some fans when Manchester United played friendlies in Melbourne and Perth. That same year, he received a bomb threat at his home, forcing his family to temporarily relocate to a safe place while police investigated the scene.

While boos at the club might not have bothered him, criticism from England fans while representing his country, especially after an own goal against Scotland, prompted his family to speak out. This marked a low point in the 2022-2023 season.

Under Erik ten Hag, Maguire lost his starting position to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane. From being a leader, he started only eight Premier League matches that entire season. In the summer of 2023, the captaincy was transferred to Bruno Fernandes. Manchester United reached an agreement to sell him to West Ham for 30 million GBP (40 million USD), but Maguire refused to leave. He accepted staying, competing, and even a secondary role.

That patience has finally paid off. After an injury spell that saw him miss the final two months under Ruben Amorim, Maguire returned and gradually received opportunities. When Michael Carrick took charge, a key change was his return to the center of defense in a 4-2-3-1 system. From a substitute, Maguire started six consecutive matches. Manchester United significantly improved its defensive metrics and points tally with him on the field. The 1-0 victory against Everton, where he led the defense in resisting late pressure, served as clear evidence.

On 27/2, Carrick remarked that the peak of a player's career is around 31 or 32 years old, where experience and physical ability converge. At 33, Maguire may no longer be the quickest center-back, but he understands the game, reads situations better, and provides stability amidst Manchester United's constantly changing defense. Varane, Lindelof, and Jonny Evans have departed. Martinez recently sustained an injury. De Ligt has been absent since late November. Young players like Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven still need time to develop. Amid these gaps, Maguire has become a crucial anchor.

This is why Manchester United is looking to negotiate a contract extension with him, as his current deal is set to expire in the summer. The club is tightening its wage bill and aims to reduce his 180,000 GBP (242,000 USD) weekly salary, but at least the door for negotiation is open. They are also concerned about the prospect of simultaneously losing Maguire and Casemiro, two experienced and influential players in the dressing room.

Conversely, Maguire also seeks stability. He declined offers from AC Milan and Saudi club Al Qadsiah in 1/2026. After all, Old Trafford remains where he wants to be. "Playing for Manchester United is still the best thing," he once stated.

Beyond his club career, the national team door has not closed for him. Maguire has earned 64 caps for England and still harbors hopes of participating in a third World Cup. Coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledges that the 33-year-old center-back remains on his radar. Having missed Euro 2024 due to injury, the center-back born in 1993 is even more eager to prove his worth.

Former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce believes Maguire was once made a "punching bag" for the team's broader issues. He asserts that the center-back never betrayed the club or the national team. In the past five weeks, Bruce believes Maguire has reminded everyone of his capabilities.

Maguire's story is one of a player's persistent journey through adversity, enduring criticism, and maintaining composure. He did not leave when doubted, did not react harshly when stripped of the captaincy, did not give up when dropped from the starting lineup, nor did he lose spirit when injured.

Maguire may no longer symbolize Manchester United's future. However, in a squad currently undergoing significant changes, he represents the present—a seasoned center-back ready to stand firm when needed. After years of being caught in a whirlwind of criticism, he is quietly rising from the mud on the Old Trafford pitch.

By Xuan Binh