Harry Maguire Steps Up Again as United Push for Europa League Final

His redemption tour continues at full speed, with Maguire rising to the biggest occasions in recent months. Just two weeks ago, he scored the winner against Lyon in extra time to seal a dramatic 5-4 victory and send United to the Europa League semi-finals — just a glimpse of what he can do in the opponent’s box.

Maguire currently leads the Premier League in aerial duels won per 90 minutes with 3.1. His fearless ability to attack the ball makes him one of the most dangerous players in crunch time.

In this Europa League campaign, his importance has grown significantly. Back in October, Maguire scored a powerful header against Porto to secure a draw early in the tournament. Months later, in February, he did it again — this time in the FA Cup against his former club Leicester, sealing the win with yet another header.

His contributions haven’t stopped. Later that month, Maguire scored once more, this time versus Ipswich Town, in one of the season’s most critical matches. The win helped shut down relegation rumors and created some breathing room between Manchester United and the Championship zone.

Maguire had to find himself on the pitch again

From the very beginning of his career, Harry Maguire has always been an aerial threat. His former coach, Mike Phelan, once highlighted his importance in attacking set pieces during an interview with The Athletic.

“That’s more like an old center-forward in a way: ‘Put the ball into an area, into space, and I’ll get there.’ It’s that fearlessness of seeing the ball, not the man. ‘I am gonna get first to the ball.’ If Harry gets there first and makes contact, there’s every chance it’s going in. You don’t see a lot of that attitude now — attacking the ball. He creates that situation of ‘me against you.’”

Maguire was sold to Manchester United in 2019 for £80 million from Leicester City — a record-breaking fee for a defender. His first couple of seasons showed promise, but after missing the 2021 Europa League final due to injury, things began to unravel: his arrest in Greece, Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival, and the replacement of Ole Gunnar Solskjær with Ralf Rangnick all contributed to a downward spiral.

He later lost the captaincy to Bruno Fernandes under Erik ten Hag, nearly joined West Ham United for £30 million, was booed in a pre-season game in Australia against Crystal Palace, and made a number of costly errors in big games.

But in the 2024/25 season, he received another chance — and he’s been delivering so far.

Maguire was eventually subbed off in the match against Athletic Bilbao due to a VAR check for a possible red card. Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t want to risk losing him for the second leg at Old Trafford — or potentially the final.