THREAD

Harry Maguire's Impact at ManUtd

Harry has certainly improved us but by how much?

To find out, I compared Harry's stats this season to the combined stats of Lindelof & Smalling from last season

He's better than the 2 of them combined on many key metrics

Let's dive in:

To begin with,

Harry stats this season are way better than Smalling's from last season. So comparing that wont give a clear idea of his contribution.

But comparing his stats to that of Lindelof and Smalling combined shows just how much he has singlehandedly improved us.

Harry Maguire has been a rock:

Harry Maguire this season
- 138 tackles + interceptions | 279 clearances

Lindelof + Smalling combined last season
- 156 tackles + interceptions | 253 clearances

Harry alone has more clearances & 88% as many tck+int as other 2 combined

RIDICULOUS

Harry has dominated aerial duels:

Harry Magure this season
- 219 aerial duels won | 74.5% accuracy

Lindelof + Smalling combined last season
- 176 aerial duels won | 70.4% accuracy

Harry has won 43 more aerial duels than the other two combined at a higher success rate

DOMINANT

Harry has been integral ball player too:

Harry Maguire this season
- 864 long passes | 84% accuracy
- 122 progressive passes

Lindelof + Smalling combined last season
- 648 long passes | 79.8% accuracy
- 130 progressive passes

Harry has 216 more long passes than them combined.

Harry excels in passing forward:

Progressive Pass Distance: distance ball was passed towards opposition's goal

Harry Maguire's PPD this season
- 14238 yards

Lindelof + Smalling combined PPD last season
- 16506 yards

Harry alone did 86% of Lindelof & Smalling's combined.

Harry is superb at carrying the ball forward:

Progressive Distance Carried: distance ball was by a player towards goal

Harry Maguire this season
- 9979 yards

Lindelof + Smalling combined last season
- 5954 yards

Harry has carried the ball fwd 4025 yards than these 2 combined.

Not all stats are that positive

No. of miscontrols + dispossessions
Maguire: 17
Lindelof + Smalling: 17

Not a good sign.

But it is also due to the role he plays of ball carrying.

Harry has dribbled past 16 players while the other 2 have 11 combined.

A risk worth taking.

Also,

Errors leading to shot
Maguire: 1
Lindelof + Smalling: 3

Own Goals:
Maguire: 1
Lindelof + Smalling: 2

Although these are improvements, like Ole says one is always one too many.

To recap

When compared to Lindelof & Smalling, Harry alone has

- 88% as many tackles & interceptions
- 26 more clearances at 4% better accuracy
- 216 more long passes at 5% better accuracy
- 86% of the progressive pass distance
- 4025 yards more of fwd ball carrying

SUPERB!

This post isn't taking into account any of the innumerable intangibles that he has also brought in, like

- leadership
- experience
- composure
- mentorship

all of which makes his contribution to this side immense.

Harry Maguire has not just improved us, when comparing to last season, he's is giving us the value of 2 defenders in one.

Remember this is just his first season. Defenses thrive on communication, understanding and teamwork, all of which will improve the more they play together.

Harry Maguire is the modern day ball playing center back. He can defend, tackle, head, pass, progress and carry.

Yes he's expensive, yes he isn't the fastest & like all defenders his mistakes are costly.

But for the sheer value he adds to this team he deserve more appreciation.