Harry Maguire knows what it takes to come through a storm of negativity and he gave his words of wisdom to team-mate Andre Onana ahead of a crucial night for Manchester United in the Europa League.
Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire was one of the more senior players in the first-team when Andre Onana joined from Inter Milan in 2023.
After United drew 2-2 against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final first leg, the Reds are back in action this week, trying to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Onana endured a nightmare in Lyon, committing two howlers, which led to him being dropped for United’s 4-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday. Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Onana will start the second-leg and is trying to support the player mentally.
It’s also worth noting that Altay Bayindir, who replaced Onana at the weekend, didn’t coat himself in glory with his performance, making an error that led to one of Newcastle’s four goals. It was his first Premier League appearance for the club since joining from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023.
Harry Maguire backs ‘excellent goalkeeper’ Andre Onana
Although Maguire is not club captain anymore, the England centre-back remains one of the dressing room’s leaders.
The 32-year-old joined Amorim at his press conference on Wednesday and jumped to Onana’s defence as you’d expect him to.
“I think first and foremost, Andre has proved in the past that he is an excellent goalkeeper,” Maguire told reporters.
“He has won numerous trophies. But you always have spells in your career where you have ups and downs. At the moment, he is probably feeling that everything is going against him.”
Maguire was also asked about what it is like to play in front of Onana as a defender. He replied: “Playing in front of Andre is great; I have confidence in Andre. We all know he is an excellent goalkeeper.”
Maguire advises Onana on criticism
Few players know how to deal with a witch hunt as much as Maguire.
The United centre-back suffered a horrid period of abuse before being stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag, but after that everything started to change for the better.
Now, if fit, Maguire is likely to feature in United’s defence and he speaks with experience having overcome it in the past.
Maguire added: “Trying your best to ignore it all, focus on your job, come in on a daily basis and do your best. That is all you can do.
“Tomorrow night is another game of football and you have to say to yourself, ‘Do your best and that’s all you can do’. I have been in that situation myself. All you can do, day in, day out, is your best and work as hard as possible.”
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