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NDTV
6 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Manchester United Players Harry Maguire, Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot Visit India For Grassroots Football Initiative
Manchester United players Harry Maguire, Andre Onana and Diogo Dalot visited India on Thursday, being part of the launch of the fifth edition of leading tyre-maker Apollo Tyres' 'United We Play' grassroots football programme initiative. Following a disappointing season, in which Manchester United recorded their lowest-ever Premier League finish of 15th, as well as lost the Europa League final, Maguire, Onana and Dalot reflected on it. Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Maguire admitted that the just-concluded season was tough. "This year has obviously been a difficult season in the Premier League. But I'm sure next season will be a lot different. There will be a lot of changes in the summer -- some players will leave, and hopefully new ones will come in. That's down to the club to get right. And for us as players, we have to step up. Playing for this club is special," Maguire said. Manchester United have had a tough time adapting to the system of new manager Ruben Amorim. Defender Diogo Dalot is one such player who has had to adapt, going from a full-back to a wing-back. Normally a right-sided player, Dalot has also had to play increasingly on the left side. "I'm used to it now. Obviously, on the right is where I feel more comfortable or I grew up and played more time. But throughout your career, you have to be able to do other things and be as complete as you can," Dalot said. Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has also had a rough start to his time at the club, but ensured that filling the boots of club legends like David de Gea does not add pressure. "I don't feel pressure. It's not the pressure, it's an extra motivation. We have been in the game for so long, so I don't think we have any pressure. For sure, no. For me, it's the opposite," Onana said. Harry Maguire, André Onana and Diogo Dalot, who are on their maiden visit to India, officially launched and kicked off the activities for the fifth season of the United We Play programme. Over the past four seasons, the United We Play programme has reached out to over 30000 aspiring footballers across 25 cities in India. Speaking at the launch, Harry Maguire said, "It has been a privilege to be here today launching the new season of 'United We Play'. Manchester United has fans around the world and we can feel the passion that exists for the team and for the sport here in India. The work of the club and Apollo Tyres is ensuring the next generation of talent has the opportunity play football in excellent facilities, with the infrastructure around them to nurture talent. We have seen first-hand today how impactful the United We Play programme is and the positive effect it has at the grassroots level." Listen to the latest songs, only on
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Diogo Dalot: ‘There's no place to hide when you play for Manchester United'
As Manchester United's Diogo Dalot stepped into the buzzing energy of Mumbai, he was greeted by a sea of red — passionate fans waving flags, chanting songs, and showering the Portuguese full-back with adoration. Though just a few hours into his India visit, the 26-year-old was already soaking in the experience. 'We just landed and ever since we are here, we are having a lot of fun. It's great to meet fans of Manchester United here — they are so full of passion and enthusiasm about the club,' he told us. Diogo's visit, alongside teammates Harry Maguire and André Onana, marked the launch of the new season of United We Play, a grassroots football initiative. But amid the smiles and celebratory mood, he remained grounded, reflecting on a demanding season that tested the squad and its supporters alike. 'It's been tough for us and tough for the fans. There were moments in the season where I felt we played well but just couldn't get the result. We need to take responsibility for that,' he admitted. Diogo, who has grown into a key presence on the pitch for United, understands the weight of expectation that comes with the club's badge. 'There's no place for you to hide when you play for Manchester United. You have to match it. You have to be ready for it,' he said. With big changes underway at Old Trafford — both on and off the field — Dalot views the upcoming pre-season as a reset point. 'We have to come back to pre-season with energy. 'A lot of changes are happening at the club, and it's on us to adapt, grow, and fight for what this club stands for,' he said. Despite the challenges, the defender remains optimistic. His words in Mumbai echo the resolve of a player — and a team — determined to rise again.
NDTV
7 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Manchester United "Slipped In Premier League, More Focused On Europa League": Harry Maguire
As part of United We Play Season 5, Manchester United stars Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, and André Onana made a special visit to Mumbai, engaging with fans and young footballers while offering candid insights into their turbulent 2024/25 campaign. Speaking exclusively to NDTV, the trio shared their thoughts on what went wrong during the season and what lies ahead for the club. Harry Maguire, Manchester United's former captain, didn't hold back when reflecting on the Premier League season. 'Players have to take responsibility,' Maguire said. 'We slipped in the Premier League. We were more focused on the Europa League, but that's no excuse.' He acknowledged that the current state of the club is unacceptable by United's standards: 'It's Manchester United—we can't accept where we are. There will be a lot of players who will leave. Things have to change.' André Onana: Backing Amorim 's Vision Goalkeeper André Onana defended incoming manager Rúben Amorim, whose appointment has been met with skepticism from some corners. 'People called Amorim the worst manager,' Onana noted. 'But he has his ideas, and he will not change his style of play. We have to adapt to his vision.' Diogo Dalot: Change is Underway Full-back Diogo Dalot emphasized the need for a cultural and mental shift at the club. 'We need a lot of change—and change is happening. In the club, in the squad,' he said. 'Players need to be mentally strong to play for United.' The players' visit was part of Manchester United's commitment to nurturing young talent and engaging with fans worldwide. With key voices within the squad acknowledging the need for transformation, hopes are high that this marks the beginning of a new era for the Red Devils.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Ruben Amorim says Manchester United want to ‘turn the page' after poor season
Ruben Amorim insists he and his Manchester United players are desperate to 'turn the page' on a disappointing campaign as they head into the second match of a post-season Asian tour in Hong Kong on Friday. United were booed off in defeat to an ASEAN All-Stars team in Malaysia on Wednesday, a week on from losing the Europa League final to Tottenham and missing out on a Champions League spot as a result. The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League, marking their worst season in 51 years. The club will earn £8million from this trip to the Far East and while Amorim acknowledges the importance of tours such as this for him and the players to connect with United's worldwide fanbase, there is clearly a big part of him that just wants this season to be over. 'We want to give something to the fans, but it's hard in this moment – we just want to turn the page and improve next season,' he said at a press conference on Thursday. 'We cannot hide that it is really tough in this moment for us not to close the season, but if there is one thing that is really important in this club it is that we need to face our fans in this moment, and we need to give something to our fans around the world.' Amorim is again expected to heavily rotate his squad for the match against Hong Kong. Three senior players – Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot and Andre Onana – have flown on to a fan engagement event in India so are unavailable, while Luke Shaw is injured. 'I will try to divide because I don't want all the young kids all together,' Amorim said. 'I will try to mix these things. We want to be competitive. If they are fit, they will play, and we will have the maximum respect for everybody here and for our fans.'
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Manchester United players make bizarre appearance in Mumbai during Asia tour
Harry Maguire was among senior players who broke away from Manchester United's post-season tour squad for a 4,000-mile trip to India to attend a commercial event. With United humiliated in their friendly against an invitational team, ASEAN All-Stars, in Malaysia, most of Ruben Amorim's squad flew to Hong Kong for the final match of their tour. But Maguire, Diogo Dalot and Andre Onana flew to Mumbai, where they took part in an event hosted by club partner Apollo Tyres, which was seen as a chance to connect with fans and sponsors in India. Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot & Andre Onana visit India!❤️ — 🇮🇳 (@Rashy_Rich) May 29, 2025 It means the trio of first-teamers, who were in the starting line-up in Malaysia, will miss the Hong Kong friendly on Friday. With United making losses in their latest financial figures and closely watching profit-and-sustainability rules, the post-season is expected to generate £7.8million for the club. But it also meant they had no time off following their final game of the Premier League season on Sunday, with the squad flying straight out to Asia after the 2-0 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford. Players, including Alejandro Garnacho, who has been told he can leave the club, have been involved in fan events such as autograph signings. During one fan event, Matthijs De Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Joshua Zirkzee were in front of supporters singing 'Glory Glory Man United' despite their disastrous season. Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu in Kuala Lumpur. 🇲🇾 #MUFC — SimplyUtd (@SimplyUtd) May 27, 2025 There were jeers at the end of their defeat in Malaysia, with Amorim saying: 'The boos maybe is something we need because every game we lost in the Premier League the fans were always there. I felt when we finished every time the supporters were with us. Let's see for next season.' Before the tour, Maguire said: 'It is the club's decision and we don't have any right to argue against it after the performances we have put on,' he said. 'As players, we have to take responsibility for the position in the Premier League and the money we have generated this season through that finish, which is nowhere near good enough.'
