Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has insisted that his side’s epic comeback vs. Lyon on Thursday evening summed up his Old Trafford career.
Maguire scored the second of two goals in the 120th minute of extra time to book United a spot in the Europa League semi-finals, where they will face Athletic Club.
Lyon, having trailed 2-0 earlier in the match, mounted an impressive comeback with four unanswered goals and saw Corentin Tolisso sent off—only to then concede three times in a dramatic seven-minute spell during extra time.
Speaking after the match, Maguire admitted that the game was the “maddest” one he has ever played in.
The England international told reporters [as quoted by ITV News], “I’ve had some amazing moments at this club. I’ve been here six years now and I’ve had some great times. Some bad times as well. I think that game pretty much summed up my time at this club, to be honest!”
“It was an incredible feeling to score that winner in such an important game, in a game that was full of emotion and the strangest, maddest game I’ve ever played in or witnessed, to be honest.”
“I think the lads showed great spirit and fight in the end to dig in and turn it around.”
The 32-year-old continued, “It’s important we do as well as we can in this competition. Listen, we’re only in the semi-final, we’re playing Athletic Bilbao. I don’t know if people are saying they’re the favourites to win the competition, but we’ll go into it with a great belief to win the game.”
“But we’re only in the semi-final, so we don’t want to get carried away in terms of winning the competition. This season it’s been so difficult for everyone involved, all the fans, all the players, the staff.”
“It’s just been nowhere near good enough and when you get moments like that, and memories you create like that, I think it’s so important for the fans to go home with a smile on their faces.”
Looking ahead to the clash with Athletic Club, Maguire remarked, “We’ve got to do far better than that if we want to win this competition. We can’t be doing that and be leaving it to turn it around in that situation.”
“But it does show great spirit, fight, togetherness, and that’s the one thing this group of lads is doing, they’re giving everything. Sometimes I think this year it’s not been good enough and rightly so, it hasn’t, but they are giving everything.”
United are back in action on Sunday when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kick-off is at 14:00 BST.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
