Manchester United put in arguably their most clinical performance of the season, dismantling Athletic Club 3-0 in their Europa League semi-final first leg tie on Thursday.
Bruno Fernandes will rightly take home all the plaudits for his two goals and his overall display up top, but Ruben Amorim must have been pleased with what he saw from Harry Maguire.
He was dominant at the back, and a surprise force to be reckoned with up front. Amorim could not help but compliment his defender’s skills after the game.
What a season it has been for the Englishman — from getting booed last pre-season to now being the club’s hero who can do no wrong.
Maguire can do no wrong
Last time out in the quarter-finals, the 32-year-old headed in to ensure the one of craziest comebacks in the club’s history against Olympique Lyonnais.
At San Mames, the centre-back was not only solid at the heart of the defence but his dazzling skills out wide and his pinpoint cross which led to Casemiro’s opening goal was what completely changed the game.
Maguire lasted 65 minutes and he ended the game with a 97 per cent passing accuracy with 68 of his 70 passes finding their mark. He also created one chance.
What was most impressive was all his long balls and crosses were right on the money while the defender also completed three passes into the final third.
Effective up top and at the back
Defensively, he was solid as well, winning two aerial duels while making one block and completing two clearances on the night (all stats via fotmob).
The England international made three recoveries and was rightly serenaded by away fans when he was replaced by Matthijs de Ligt for the final 25 minutes.
United could have won by an ever more handsome margin if not for the upright while the players seemed to take their foot off the pedal in the second 45 minutes.
While the ex-Leicester City man enjoyed his dribbling skills, he rightly pointed out after the game that the tie is not over and that his teammates need to avoid complacency to book their place in the final.
Feature image Clive Brunskill via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
