Alan Shearer has offered significant praise to one of Manchester United's top performers, and Michael Carrick has also made it clear how highly the player is rated.
Manchester United head into the final seven matches of the 2025/26 season with Michael Carrick’s side aiming to secure a third-place finish in the Premier League.
Since taking charge in mid-January, Carrick has done an excellent job rebuilding after the disruption caused by Rúben Amorim’s departure earlier in the year, winning seven of his first ten games in charge.
Qualifying for next season’s Champions League has always been the club’s primary objective, and with United currently seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea, that target now looks all but assured.
One of the many reasons for this has been the form of Harry Maguire at the back, with the English defender being crucial for Carrick in recent months.
The defender will miss the upcoming clash with Leeds after a harsh red card before the international break but has been rewarded with a new contract at Old Trafford.
Shearer praises Maguire after new contract
Maguire, 33, will remain at the club next season while United also have the option to extend his deal for another year. He is a valuable member of the squad and provides bundles of experience.
Alan Shearer believes that the defender has earned his new deal and thinks that he is a 'brilliant leader' for United.
"I think Harry Maguire deserves his new contract at Manchester United," the Premier League's all-time top scorer told Betfair.
"I think it's a one-year deal and I guess at that age, I think he's been a brilliant leader, and his best attribute is his character because I think at times he's been spoken about in not so good terms but that didn't affect him and didn't bother him.
"I think the way he's handled that and then put himself back in contention for an England call-up, he deserves an extra season."
Carrick: Maguire's experience is so valuable
Shearer is not the only one who clearly believes that Maguire deserves this new deal as Carrick himself has spoken about the importance the defender has in his squad.
"Harry has been important since I've come back, and the games that we've been involved with together, and he's been important for such a long period of time," the manager recently said.
"His experience is so valuable to not just me and the coaches, but within the group, he understands what the club is, what it's about, how to behave, how to deal with things, the ups and downs as much as anything."
Carrick will have to deal with the upcoming clash against Leeds without the veteran defender and it remains to be seen whether Lisandro Martínez will be fit for the match.
Ayden Heaven could make his first start under Carrick after making a positive impact off the bench against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, Leny Yoro looks set to start in his seventh consecutive game for United after struggling for game-time in Carrick's early fixtures.