Juventus legend Leonardo Bonucci has heaped praise on the shoulders of resurgent Manchester United stalwart Harry Maguire.
The two centre-backs locked horns in 2021 during the EURO 2020 final, after the tournament was delayed a year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Held on home soil for England, Gareth Southgate and his men were in dreamland after Luke Shaw netted the opener in just the second minute of the match.
However, Bonucci went on to equalise for Italy in the second half, a goal which saw the tie sent to extra-time and, after a goalless half-hour, ultimately penalties. The Italians reigned victorious after winning the shootout 3-2 at Wembley.
Impressed with what he saw of England’s backline, Bonucci has credited Maguire and his counterpart John Stones for their mentality and defensive capabilities.
Maguire, 30, has been on the end of unprecedented criticism for much of his United career. He remains the most expensive defender in world football following his £80m million switch from Leicester City in 2019, and such a label has never boded well when trying to navigate a highly-scrutinised role at a club that’s notoriously been in turmoil over the past decade.
Bonucci lauds Maguire
Speaking to SunSport, the Azzurri skipper revealed that he is actually a fan of United’s No.5, who is currently sidelined with a groin injury.
“For me, Harry is an example. After all the stick and attacks he’s received, he still plays at Manchester United and is a regular for England. That’s indicative of his mental strength,” Bonucci explained.
“Maguire is a rocky and tough defender. His problem is that he was paid an infinite amount of money when he joined Man United. But just because of that, can’t he occasionally drop a clanger?
“He has shown that he’s mentally tough, has leadership skills, personality and intelligence out of the norm. Just like all of us, he may have some limits but he’ll be aware of them and iron them out to improve.”
