‘The boss has me dribbling every day!’

Tuesday 20 May 2025 19:43

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has joked Ruben Amorim has him “dribbling every day in training”, ahead of Wednesday’s return to San Mames in Bilbao.

Maguire played a starring role at the venue when the Reds earned a 3-0 Europa League semi-final first leg win over Athletic Club, notably beating his man on the right flank to execute a perfect cross for Casemiro to score, from Manuel Ugarte’s touch on.

It was the latest in a list of attacking contributions from Harry this season, who was, of course, fresh from netting the last-gasp winner in our 5-4 quarter-final secon-leg victory over Lyon at Old Trafford.

On the eve of Wednesday’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, Maguire joined Amorim and captain Bruno Fernandes for a compelling press conference at San Mames, where one journalist cheekily enquired about his tricky wing play last time out in the Basque Country.

“The manager has me dribbling every day in training, up and down the wing!” laughed Maguire, showing his sense of humour, before explaining why he doesn’t want to be attacking tomorrow. “No, listen, I found myself on the wing against Athletic Club, I managed to put a good cross in and Case scored the goal. Obviously, I’ve gone up front in the latter minutes of the games.

“Tomorrow night, hopefully I am not going up front, I don’t want to be going up front and chasing a game, I want to be defending a lead from my position in defence. I’m always there to help, I’m always there to do my best, but, I am more than happy to be playing in my favourite position.”

When United last featured in a Europa League final, against Villarreal in 2021, it was widely agreed that Maguire’s absence through injury was a significant blow to the Reds’ chances, ultimately contributing to what was unfortunately a gruelling penalty shootout defeat in Gdansk.

Harry’s positive influence on the team at that time was unquestionable, but in the years that followed our no.5 endured the most challenging period of his career and one that required a great amount of mental strength.

Maguire’s return to top form is an example to every fellow professional going through hard times, but, as he explained during the press conference, he tries not to dwell on the highs and lows.

“It’s amazing to be back in the team and playing regularly,” he added. “This season, I’ve played a lot of football but I don’t take too much notice of the plaudits from the media and things like that.

“I think 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 to stay as level as I can and, every game, I go into it trying to do my best. That’s all you can do.”

Maguire also spoke passionately about the team’s contrasting form in the Premier League and Europa League this season, telling reporters: “When you play for this club you want to win every football match and, this season, we have been far too inconsistent, we haven’t won enough in the Premier League and it has not been good enough, we know that.

“The Europa League has been different, we have performed at a high level and we have proven again this season that we can beat anybody. I am sure that next season we will improve an awful amount, with a full pre-season, and, as players, we are looking forward to that, but we’ve got a big game tomorrow night and that is first and foremost. It’s a special night, a special occasion, we’ve prepared well and it’s one we’re looking forward to.”