Tag: Harry Maguire

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Alex Iwobi vs Maguire: Day the rejected stones became the head of the pitch

Iwobi

Fulham-Manchester United’s Saturday EPL game smells history as two relatively embattled players  hit the net with some good style.

Nigeria’s Alex  Iwobi, who has been under wild criticism based on his performance at the Africa Cup  of Nations, not only played inspiringly but he also got a beautiful goal for Fulham.

On the other side, Harry Maguire, whom many remember as a blundering own goal-scoring defender, straddled the field for Man U and got the club’s only goal.

Fulham defeated them 2-1, with the other (first, really) goal coming from a stubborn shot by Iwobi’s compatriot, Calvin Bassey.

At the end of a week in which billionaire Jim Ratcliffe sealed the purchase of his 27 per cent stake in the club,  and vowed to knock Manchester City off their perch, United’s impressive recent run was ended by Iwobi’s stoppage-time winner.

United’s first loss in six league games left them eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, who bolstered their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with a 4-2 home victory against struggling Nottingham Forest.

Crystal Palace gave new manager Oliver Glasner a dream start with a 3-0 win over 10-man Burnley to ease their relegation fears and push their opponents closer to the drop.

Everton were denied a vital victory in their survival battle as Lewis Dunk headed a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for 10-man Brighton and Hove Albion.

Later on Saturday the title race resumes with champions Manchester City seeking to close the gap on leaders Liverpool to one point by beating Bournemouth.

Third-placed Arsenal were also in late action with a home clash against Newcastle United.

There was a spring in the step of United fans arriving at Old Trafford after the developments of the week but they were left frustrated as Fulham outplayed them.

The visitors threatened on numerous occasions before halftime, and Bassey eventually put them ahead in the 65th minute with his first goal for the club.

United defender Harry Maguire equalised in the 89th minute with a half volley from inside the penalty area after the ball came back off Fulham keeper Bernd Leno, and the home team looked poised for a smash-and-grab victory.

Fulham had other ideas though, and a swift counter-attack ended with substitute Adama Traore’s pass being dispatched by Iwobi in the 97th minute.

“The team showed big character to fight back, we deserved the equaliser and went for the win — we showed big personality and character,” manager Erik Ten Hag said.

“It was that mistake. Before that we went for the win and we should have taken our opportunities.”

Villa cruised into a 3-0 lead at home to Forest with Douglas Luiz twice on target after Ollie Watkins opened the scoring.

But defender Moussa Niakhate replied for the visitors in stoppage time at the end of the first half and Morgan Gibbs-White pulled another one back soon after the break.

Leon Bailey eased Villa’s nerves when he made it 4-2 from close range.

Everton looked set for a crucial three points as they held on to a lead given to them by Jarrad Branthwaite after 73 minutes.

Brighton had midfielder Billy Gilmour sent off but were rewarded for some intense late pressure when Dunk headed powerfully past Jordan Pickford.

Everton stayed 17th in the table with 21 points from 26 games, one clear of third-from-bottom Luton Town, who have a game in hand. Brighton are seventh with 39 points.

Palace, for whom Chris Richards, Jordan Ayew and Jean Mateta were all on target in the second half against Burnley, moved up to 14th with 28 points.

Burnley are joint bottom with Sheffield United on 13 points and are running out of time to mount a great escape.(

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Maguire, Onana lift Manchester United past Copenhagen for first Champions league points

Harry Maguire headed a second-half goal and goalkeeper Andre Onana saved a penalty deep in stoppage time to power Manchester United to a 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen on Tuesday.

 

The win was Manchester United’s first victory in the Champions League this season.

 

“Of course it is incredible and a great night, especially in the dying second when you concede a penalty, but a brilliant save from Andre Onana,” United manager Erik ten Hag said.

 

Back in the competition after a one-year absence, Ten Hag’s side moved into third place in Group A after collecting a precious three points after three games.

 

Bayern Munich top the group with nine points after beating Galatasary 3-1 earlier.

 

The victory looked in doubt when Copenhagen’s Jordan Larsson – son of former Celtic striker Henrik – stepped up to the spot.

 

This was after Scott McTominay attempted a clearance and caught Elias Achouri in the head with a high boot in the 94th minute.

 

But Onana dived to his left to push the shot away before being mobbed by team mates at the final whistle.

 

“I’m just doing my job, the most important thing is to win against a tough team.

 

“I am happy for the victory, we did a good game and a big goal from Harry.

 

“We are Manchester United. We are a big club, big players. It’s just a matter of time, now we have to continue like this. I have no doubt we will make it,” Onana told reporters.

 

Maguire, who has been the target of fan abuse in recent months, had the Old Trafford faithful on their feet.

 

This was when he broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute with Christian Eriksen’s long ball into the area finding the defender at the far post.

 

“It is amazing. When you are not on your game it gets picked up, but I am really proud and pleased how I have acted over this six to 12 months.

 

“I have been given an opportunity and I want to help the team and get the club back to where it should be,” Maguire said on the fans chanting his name.

 

A night that began on a solemn note with a tribute to club great Bobby Charlton, who died on Saturday at age 86, ended in celebration with fans singing “There’s only one Bobby Charlton.”

 

The victory was Manchester United’s first in the Champions League since a 2-0 away win at Villarreal on Nov. 23, 2021.

 

Manchester United have had a mixed start to their season and they struggled to begin with on Tuesday with a sloppy first half of poor passing and missed tackles that earned them boos from the home crowd at halftime.

 

There was a string of several near misses in a five-minute stretch after the break that seemed to suggest a goal might be coming.

 

This included a breakaway by Marcus Rashford that he ran out of play after one touch too hard.

 

A few minutes later, Alejandro Garnacho had fans on their feet when he was sent in behind Copenhagen’s back line.

 

But a heavy touch from the Argentine allowed goalkeeper Kamil Grabara to snatch the ball.

 

It was left to defender Maguire to grab the goal that secured the win.

 

“We were better in the first half.

 

“(Manchester United) started the second half better, but the last 15 minutes was equal again. We are that close, to keep the game alive that late in the game,” said Copenhagen manager Jacob Neestrup.

 

Manchester United travel to Copenhagen on Nov. 8.

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Ten Hag speaks on Maguire after calamitous Sevilla defeat

Harry Maguire

Mueez Ajao

– Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has defended captain Harry Maguire as an “example” for the rest of his squad, after the defender’s latest high-profile error in Thursday’s Europa League exit at the hands of Sevilla.

– Maguire’s error led to an early goal for Sevilla and his performance came under the microscope again as United lost 3-0 on the night in Spain to go out 5-2 on aggregate.

– But Ten Hag said the 30-year-old England defender remained a key member of his squad.

Also Read: Europa specialists Sevilla send desperate Man United packing

– “He has an important role, he is the captain, he leads, he communicates with the manager, motivates the team, he’s the example in the training space,” Ten Hag said on Friday.

– Maguire was not the only player to be criticised after the defeat and amid reports of a clear-out in the close season, Ten Hag said he was focused only on the current campaign.

– “I’m thinking about improving this team and these players, that’s my job with the coaching staff and the players. We have all our focus on this process and not on other processes that will distract you,” Ten Hag added.

– “I know this group of players can do better, they’ve proved it so many times this season. We’ve made huge progress during the season, but we have steps to go. We have a lot of games to play and occasions to prove it.”

– United face another big game on Sunday, with an FA Cup semifinal against Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley. And Ten Hag said his team need to build a stronger mentality and learn to recover from setbacks during games.

– Ten Hag said the team had the ability to respond to setbacks during the season but were struggling to find a way back into games when things do not go to plan, as happened in the loss to Sevilla.

– “We can’t deny it, it’s mental, definitely. We have to learn that you keep going, you carry on,” he said.

– “What this team can do very well is bounce back in between games, what they can do less is bounce back during a game to a setback. That is what we have to improve.”

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Maguire admits he’s ‘got an important role’ still as Man United captain

Harry Maguire

Mueez Ajao

– Manchester United captain Harry Maguire says he has “an important role” to play after the Red Devils beat Real Betis to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.

– Maguire, who started in Thursday’s win, has made just five starts for United since the World Cup.

– He was included in manager Gareth Southgate’s England squad on Thursday.

Also Read: Rashford seals win as Man Utd better Betis to advance to Europa quarterfinals

– “I have an important role on and off the field at this club and every day I try and make this club succeed whether I’m playing or not,” Maguire said.

– Speaking to BT Sport after United’s 5-1 aggregate win, he added: “Obviously I want to play and start more games, but I’m playing my part on and off the field.

– “It’s nice to get out there and lead the team, which is the most important part for myself and for the group.”

– Maguire joined United for £80m in August 2019 but has struggled for minutes this season with United manager Erik ten Hag preferring new signing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane at centre-back.

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Man United boss Ten Hag wants Maguire to replicate England form at club

Mueez Ajao

– Harry Maguire can be a “great player” for Manchester United if he can reproduce his England form with his club, says United manager Erik ten Hag.

– The defender, 29, has made one Premier League start since August, when he was dropped after United’s 4-0 defeat at Brentford in favour of Raphael Varane.

– But he started each game of England’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals.

Also Read: Ten Hag compares Rashford to Mbappe

– “I’ve been asked many times. It’s clear he is good enough to play at the highest level,” said Ten Hag.

– “He has, for England, good games almost all the time. He had a period in Manchester where he performed badly. Then, of course there are difficulties.

– “But when he is working hard, he gets that confidence. You are seeing that with the way he is playing for England.

– “We want him to bring it on the pitch for Manchester United. I expect from him, the team knows what they expect from him. If he does that, he will be a great player for us.”

– Ten Hag has preferred Varane and Lisandro Martinez as his centre-back pairing during the start of his first season at Old Trafford.

– With both their countries having reached the semi-finals, they will still be at the World Cup until next weekend.

– Maguire could therefore start for United at home to Nottingham Forest on 27 December and Ten Hag says the £80m signing will get the chance to re-establish himself as a first-choice defender at Old Trafford.

– “I have two or three good players in the right centre-back position,” said the United boss.

– “After Brentford, I had to change the mentality. He was unlucky that moment was bad for him but it doesn’t say anything about his quality. Rapha came in and is doing a good job.

– “There are laws of the game in top football. You have to take your chance.

– “The only thing he has to do is train well and perform well. He has games, he has rhythm. His chance will come.”

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Maguire says England ‘really believe’ World Cup glory is possible in Qatar

Harry Maguire

Mueez Ajao

– England “really believe” they can win the World Cup, unlike in 2018, says centre-back Harry Maguire.

– Gareth Southgate’s side reached the semi-finals in Russia four years ago and face world champions France in the last eight on Qatar on Saturday.

– Victory would see them then take on Portugal or Morocco for a place in a first World Cup final since 1966.

Also Read: England show bite in battle of the Lions

– After reaching the Euro 2020 final, Maguire says there has been a positive shift in the team’s mindset.

– “I think that’s the one thing I’d say that’s a lot different from the 2018 squad to this squad – I think we really believe that it is possible,” said the Manchester United captain.

– “I played in 2018 and we got to the semi-final and I think a lot of the lads were happy. You were happy to be part of the semi-final.

– “You know that whatever happened in that semi-final that you’d go home and be classed as a hero and everyone would be patting you on the back.

– “I think now there’s a belief that we’ve got to win this tournament. It is a good change in the mentality.

– “Of course, we know how tough it is going to be. I think there are probably five or six teams with the same belief.

– “But in 2018, we probably weren’t one of those teams that had that belief. Now there’s five or six who have that belief and we’re one of them.”

– Maguire, 29, has started every England game at the World Cup so far despite struggling for game time and form this season at club level.

– His performances in Qatar have repaid the faith put in him by manager Southgate but Maguire says his self-confidence has never wavered.

– “I don’t read too much if I’m being honest,” he said. “You pick up bits and bobs and maybe my family read things more than me. I tell them to stay off [social media], but maybe they don’t because it’s a habit for most people these days.

– “I read little bits and bobs, but I’m 29 years old, the captain of Manchester United and have made 52 appearances for my country.

– “So, when I look back on my career and put everything into perspective, if I was a young boy then I’m living the dream. I’m doing everything I always wanted to do.

– “Where I’m at at the moment, the next stage of my career I want to start winning trophies.

– “The last year has been difficult, and I haven’t played as well as I’ve done in the previous five years at the top level.

– “But I think during a career there’s only probably Lionel Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo] who are the only two who’ve not had a dip in their careers.

– “It’s a 15-year career if you’re lucky really, there’s no way really, especially with all the scrutiny that’s on defenders these days, you’re not going to have dips.

– “I’m probably going to have another one as well, but it’s how you come back, how you bounce back from them. You’ve got to remain focused and keep the belief in yourself.”

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Erik ten Hag backs Harry Maguire to get back to his best

Erik Ten Hag and Harry Maguire

Mueez Ajao

– Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says he still believes in Harry Maguire despite criticism of the defender.

– Maguire has been jeered by his some of his own fans on club and country duty this season and made mistakes in the build-up to two Germany goals in England’s 3-3 draw on Monday.

– “I back him because I believe in him,” said Ten Hag.

Also Read: Erik ten Hag wins Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month for September

– “It’s about him. I’m sure he can do it. He’ll turn this around. I am really convinced of that.”

– Ten Hag has preferred Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as his central defensive partnership, with playmaker Bruno Fernandes wearing the captain’s armband ahead of Maguire in recent weeks.

– Maguire has made only three Premier League appearances this season.

– “Even after he wasn’t in the team, he trained really well,” said Ten Hag of the 29-year-old.

– “But more important, the quality was there. You see his career, almost 50 caps for England. He’s performed really well for Leicester and Manchester United. What you see is he has a high potential.”

– Luke Shaw, a team-mate for both Manchester United and England, said earlier this week that Maguire has been criticised “more than I’ve ever seen before in football”.

– Maguire will miss Sunday’s meeting with cross-town rivals Manchester City at Etihad Stadium through injury.

– However, striker Marcus Rashford, who picked up a muscle injury in United’s 3-1 league win over Arsenal on 2 September, is back in training along with Anthony Martial, who is returning from an Achilles tendon problem which has restricted him to one substitute appearance so far.

– United head into the match on the back of four successive league wins and Ten Hag says he is relishing his first taste of the derby.

– “It excites me,” he said. “We want to be involved in these games because there is such a good vibe, it gives so much energy. We will do everything to win the game.”

– Ten Hag was part of City manager Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff during the Spaniard’s time in charge of Bayern Munich. Guardiola suggested in April, before the Dutchman joined United from Ajax, that Ten Hag could succeed him at the club.

– “It’s a nice compliment,” said Ten Hag. “But I’m 100% convinced I choose Manchester United with everything in it and I didn’t regret it for one second.”

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Harry Maguire apologises to fans following costly mistakes against Germany

Mueez Ajao

– Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has issued an apology and admitted to making mistakes during England’s 3-3 draw with Germany at Wembley on Monday night.

– It was a bad night for the United defender. Maguire was at fault for Germany’s opening goal, as he not only gave the ball away in the build-up, but then went on to bring down Jamal Musiala inside England’s box to concede a penalty, as Ilkay Gundogan calmly slotted the ball past Nick Pope to make it 1-0.

– Chelsea’s Kai Havertz made it 2-0 to the visitors with a superb curling effort, before United full-back Luke Shaw started the comeback with a goal in the 71st minute.

Also Read: England bite back against Germany after Maguire howler

– The Three Lions appeared to have sealed all three points after two quickfire goals from Mason Mount and Harry Kane put the hosts 3-2 up at Wembley with just five minutes to play, only for an error from Pope saw Havertz gifted with his second goal of the night, as the game finished 3-3.

– Questions over Maguire’s place in Southgate’s side were asked when the 28-man squad was first announced, given his United form of late. And the 29-year-old will have only heightened the scrutiny around his selection following his performance.

– Erik ten Hag has not started the central defender in any of the subsequent Premier League games following United’s sobering 4-0 defeat to Brentford, and his display on Monday night will surely not have convinced the Dutchman to reinstate the centre-back into his starting XI.

– After the game, Maguire took to social media to apologise for his poor performance. He posted on Instagram, saying: “Mistakes are part of the game, I apologise. Great fight back and spirit to get us back into the game by the lads . Take the positives and look forward to Qatar. The tough times will make us stronger.”

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Shaw says Maguire has suffered more abuse than anyone he’s met in football

Mueez Ajao

– Luke Shaw says England and Manchester United team-mate Harry Maguire receives more criticism than he has “ever seen before in football”.

– Centre-back Maguire made mistakes in the build-up to two of Germany’s three goals in England’s 3-3 draw on Monday.

– His selection, and place in Gareth Southgate’s starting line-up, has been questioned after he was dropped earlier in the season by United.

Also Read: England bite back against Germany after Maguire howler

– “Harry is an amazing player, an amazing character,” Shaw told BBC Radio 5 Live.

– “He’s taken a lot of stick – probably more than I’ve ever seen before in football.

– “He never hides away, he’s always there. You can have people who can hide away and not want to be in the spotlight. He keeps putting himself in the spotlight, it shows the strength and character he’s got.

– “Everybody knows he’s an unbelievable player. At the moment the confidence might not be there because it could feel like the whole world is against him.

– “It’s tough for him, but us as players and staff are all behind him because he’s a very important player. It shows Gareth’s trust because he’s played in both games [this week] – and look at the Euros what he’s done.

– “People need to understand he’s a big part of the England team and have to accept it.”

– Maguire’s struggle for form for both club and country are not new – the 29-year-old was booed during England’s friendly win over Ivory Coast in March after a difficult period with United.

– The following month, police conducted a sweep of his house after he received a bomb threat.

– Club captain Maguire was also booed during pre-season in Australia, and has made just three Premier League appearances this season.

– But still, England boss Southgate has continued to put his faith in Maguire, though that loyalty has not been repaid in this week’s Nations League matches.

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England bite back against Germany after Maguire howler

Harry Maguire and Ilkay Gundogan

Mueez Ajao

– England rallied from two goals down to take the lead momentarily before drawing 3-3 with Germany in a thrilling UEFA Nations League group stage finale at Wembley Stadium on Monday night.

– Second-half goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Kai Havertz looked to have Germany on their way to victory, but Luke Shaw and Mason Mount levelled the score in a span of five minutes. VAR then awarded England a penalty, which Harry Kane converted to give the home side a brief lead, before Havertz tucked away his second of the night to reach the final scoreline.

– Nations League finals spots were off the table for both sides with England already relegated to the competition’s second tier and Germany coming into their last matchday sitting third, but the game had added importance for the Three Lions as it marked their final tests ahead of the start of the World Cup on Nov. 20.

Also Read: Sterling speaks out on England’s poor run of form

– England’s Raheem Sterling had the best chance to score for either side midway through the first half, but after his clever cut-back to get a clear look at goal his tame effort was palmed away by an onrushing Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

– Gareth Southgate’s side continued to look dangerous on the counter, but there was no end result with Sterling once again firing right at Ter Stegen following his full-field run to get onto Kane’s ball into the area.

– Gundogan scored Germany’s first from the penalty spot early in the second half after Harry Maguire fouled Jamal Musiala in the area and were two up 15 minutes later when Havertz curled a perfect shot in from distance that left Nick Pope no chance.

Kai Havertz

– What seemed unlikely as the clock passed 70 minutes soon became reality, as Shaw and substitute Mount struck in quick succession to get the match back on level terms and bring the home support roaring back to life.

– Nico Schlotterbeck’s stamp on Jude Bellingham’s ankle earned him a yellow card and a chance for England to take the lead from the spot, which Kane did with aplomb to the delight of the Wembley faithful.

Harry Kane

– However, a poor effort from Pope spilled a long-range shot back into the path of Havertz to side-foot into the back of the net and end the game 3-3.

Kai Havertz

– Bukayo Saka broke clear on goal in second-half stoppage time with a chance to win it for England only for Ter Stegen to touch his shot past the post.

– England will face Iran, the United States and Wales in Group B play in Qatar, while Hansi Flick will take his German side against Japan, Spain and Costa Rica in Group E.

– Flick said he was disappointed to see a 2-0 lead turn into a 3-2 deficit in the space of 13 second-half minutes but focused instead on his own team’s late recovery.

– “We were quite stable at 2-0, but England brought on a couple of substitutes that made them better offensively,” Flick said.

– “But we have to look at it positively as well. I said to my players that they showed great courage and never gave up so it was great to come back.”

– Southgate’s side finished bottom of the group with three points behind Germany on seven, Hungary with 10 and Italy, who topped the group on 11 points to reach the Nations League final four.

– It is more than 100 years since England last went six competitive games without a victory, but they at least changed the narrative with this stirring comeback against Germany.

– Both sides needed a pre-World Cup tonic after poor Nations League campaigns with England lost 1-0 away to Italy last Friday, the same night Germany lost by that same scoreline at home to Hungary.

– The last time the two heavyweights met at Wembley, in last year’s Euro 2020 finals, England were riding a wave of euphoria and manager Southgate could do no wrong.

– But the mood has turned sour mainly because of a woeful lack of goals — Kane’s last-minute penalty in Germany being their only goal in their previous five Nations League games.