'Wing wizard' Harry Maguire aims to solidify Manchester United's defence in Europa League final
FILE - Manchester United defender Harry Maguire says they have to be solid at the back in their Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Image: Conor Molloy / ProSportsImages / DPPI via AFP
Surprise wing wizard Harry Maguire says he hopes he can stay in his defensive comfort zone for Manchester United in the Europa League final against Tottenham on Wednesday despite his attacking cameos earlier in the competition.
Ruben Amorim's men have the chance to end a disastrous season on a high in Bilbao against their Premier League rivals, who are also enduring a terrible campaign.
Central defender Maguire scored the winning goal in a remarkable comeback against Lyon in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with United winning 7-6 on aggregate.
Then he dazzled on the wing to help set up the first goal in the first leg of the semi-final against Bilbao -- a tie that ended 7-1 after the two legs.
The former United captain was asked on Tuesday whether his forward forays were part of a new tactical masterplan by Amorim.
"The manager has me dribbling every day in training," he joked. "No, listen, I found myself on the wing against Bilbao and managed to put a good cross in.
"Cas (Casemiro) has scored the goal. No, someone has just asked me before that. Obviously, I've gone up front in the later minutes of the game (against Lyon).
"Tomorrow night, hopefully, I'm not going up front. I don't want to be going up front and chasing a game. I want to be defending the lead."
He added: "I'm always there to help, I'm always there to do my best but I'm more than happy playing in my favourite position."
Hero to villain
The England international, 32, has played regularly this season after a difficult period in which he fell out of favour under former United manager Erik ten Hag, also losing the captaincy.
But he said it was "amazing" to be playing regularly again.
"This season I have played a lot of football. I don't take too much notice of the plaudits from the media and things like that," he said.
"When you play for this club you can be an amazing player and the following week you can be the villain. That's part and parcel of playing for this club.
"I don't read too much into it. I try and stay as level as I can. Every game I go into it and try my best, and that's all you can do."
United's current skipper Bruno Fernandes said the players at Old Trafford craved success after their struggles.
The club are 16th in the Premier League with one game to go -- certain to finish in their lowest position since they were relegated in 1974.
But winning the Europa League would guarantee a place in the Champions League next season.
"We want to be at the top of everything, not only the Europa League, not only the Premier League," he said.
"We want to be at the top of the FA Cup, the Carabao (League) Cup, everything we are involved in.
"This club needs to be fighting for everything we have ahead of us."
Fernandes, who is the joint top-scorer in the Europa League this season with seven goals, said a trophy win could be transformational for United.
"It won't change the past, it won't affect what the past has done to us... but what can it affect is the future, probably yes.
"Obviously winning the competition gives you a lot of things. You get a place in the Champions League, it gets a lot of revenue for the club, it gets obviously more players wanting to come to the club."
AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eyewitness News
40 minutes ago
- Eyewitness News
Ballon d'Or 'should go to Champions League winner', says Ronaldo
MUNICH, Germany - Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo said Saturday the individual honour should be awarded to a player who won the Champions League. Speaking ahead of Sunday's Nations League final in Munich between Portugal and Spain, the veteran said "trophies" should determine who wins the Ballon d'Or. "In my opinion, whoever wins it should be on a team that has won trophies. The Ballon d'Or winner should be in a team that has won the Champions League," the 40-year-old forward told reporters. First awarded in 1956 by French magazine France Football, the Ballon d'Or is awarded to the player considered the best over the previous season. Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 thumping of Inter Milan in the Champions League final last Saturday led to growing calls for Ousmane Dembele to win this season's gong. Spain starlet Lamine Yamal's superb display in Thursday's 5-4 Nations League semi-final win over France however had some arguing the teenager should be awarded the Ballon d'Or, which would make the 17-year-old the youngest winner in its history. France coach Didier Deschamps backed Dembele for the award, saying "considering the season Ousmane is having, he deserves it and that's all I wish for him". At a press conference in Stuttgart on Saturday, France captain Kylian Mbappe told reporters he backed Dembele. "Does anyone really need me to explain? Right now we're talking about Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele, but I'm voting for Dembele." Ronaldo said he "cannot tell you who deserves it" this season. Ronaldo's five wins is bettered only by Argentinian Lionel Messi, who has won the award eight times. The duo had a monopoly on the award for a decade from Ronaldo's first win in 2008 to his last in 2017. The current holder is Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
eNCA
5 hours ago
- eNCA
Man Utd raise profit forecast despite turbulent season
MANCHESTER - Manchester United on Friday raised its estimate for annual core profit to between £180 million and £190 million after a run to the final of the Europa League boosted club coffers. The adjusted EBITDA figures (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation), which exclude items such as profits on player sales and finance costs, are up from an earlier projection of between £145 million and £160 million. Ruben Amorim's side reached the Europa League final, where they lost 1-0 to Tottenham. But United endured their worst top-flight campaign in more than 50 years, finishing an embarrassing 15th in the table. Nevertheless, driven by the Europa League run, United's total revenue increased 17.4 percent to £160.5 million in the quarter to March 31 from a year previously. Matchday revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 was £44.5 million, an increase of more than 50 percent, due to more home games. Total operating costs were down 20.4 percent, sparked by a reduction in the wage bill due to United's involvement in the Europa League instead of the Champions League, plus the January loan exits of Marcus Rashford and Antony. A redundancy programme affecting non-playing staff, which began last year under minority owner Jim Ratcliffe, also helped cut costs. Chief executive Omar Berrada said in a statement that there was a "clear expectation of improvement" next season. "We were proud to reach the final of the UEFA Europa League but ultimately we were disappointed to finish as runner-up in Bilbao," he said. "We had a difficult season in the Premier League, which we all know fell below our standards and we have a clear expectation of improvement next season." Amorim has started what is expected to be a significant squad rebuild at Old Trafford that will likely involve several high-profile arrivals and the exits of some key players. United have acted quickly during this month's transfer window. They agreed the £62.5 million signing of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and are reported to have a firm interest in Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo.
The South African
8 hours ago
- The South African
'Kaizer Chiefs boss Nabi is the Pep Guardiola of Africa'
Some managers hold a special allure. Is Kaizer Chiefs boss Nasreddine Nabi one of them? It sounds like it. Although Kaizer Chiefs endured a mostly frustrating campaign, they did end their long trophy drought by lifting the Nedbank Cup. To make it sweeter, they beat Orlando Pirates to do so. Nasreddine Nabi's next challenge will be to turn this side into legitimate title contenders. After all, this is a man who won back-to-back trebles in Tanzania. His trophy record and managerial aura led one reader on The South African to call him 'The Pep Guardiola of Africa', because he can also attract players to believe in his projects. Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi. Image: @KaizerChiefs/X Feisal Salum chipped in with an impressive 19 goals for Azam FC during the 2023-2024 campaign. That followed a glittering spell with Young Africans, where the talented playmaker collected consecutive trebles. A proven winner, Salum has 41 caps and four goals for his nation. Zanzibar-born star Salum hasn't replicated last season's form for Azam FC this time around. His last goal for the club came back in December 2024, and his side sits third in the Tanzanian Premier League, a massive 16 points adrift of leaders Young Africans. Do you think Nabi will turn Chiefs into giants of Africa again? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
