Harry Maguire took the headlines when his stoppage-time winner secured Manchester United’s place in the FA Cup fifth round.
The centre-back scored a dramatic winner in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Leicester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday night.
It was a 93rd-minute header to force a comeback against Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side.
United trailed 1-0 at half-time following a headed goal by Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
The players were subjected to boos from the Old Trafford faithful at half-time, which clearly woke the team up for the second half when substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee changed the game.
Zirkzee scored the equaliser minutes after coming off the bench and Harry Maguire sealed the win with a header in stoppage-time.
Harry Maguire’s goal for the history books
Maguire made a bit of history in the FA Cup for United on Friday night.
The 31-year-old struggled in the first half, especially after positioning himself poorly for Leicester City’s first-half opener.
But Maguire redeemed himself with a winner in stoppage time as United booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round.
Maguire became the first United first-team player to score a winning goal in the second half stoppage time (92:23) in the FA Cup since Anthony Martial’s winner (92:04) against Everton in April 2016.
Martial, who was signed from AS Monaco when Louis van Gaal was in charge, left United in 2024 and is currently playing his football for Greek side AEK Athens.
Once upon a time, United were renowned for late winners, but the Reds don’t have the same firepower they previously had in attack. That is why Maguire’s winner on Friday night came as a pleasant surprise.
Harry Maguire resurrection
Maguire has become a key figure in Ruben Amorim’s plans.
Speaking after United’s win over his former club Leicester City, Maguire made it clear that he is looking forward to a bright future at Old Trafford.
Maguire feels as though he has been in good form for 18 months and it’s been easily noticeable ever since Erik ten Hag stripped him of the captaincy armband.
“I feel like I am in a really good place,” Maguire told MUTV. “I feel like I have been in a good place for 18 months, two years.
“There is no doubt that I had a difficult spell. I kept my head down, I knew my chance would come and when the chance came, I needed to be focused and ready to take it, and I have been given a lot of opportunities over the last 18 months.
“I have played pretty much every game when I have been available and I am looking forward to seeing where the future goes. I feel good, both mentally and physically.
“It is not just about me; it is more importantly about the team and winning football matches and trying to get this club back to where it should be. At the moment, we are not where we should be.
“Obviously tonight it’s a good win to get through to the next round, and we look forward to it.”
Many thought the summer arrivals of Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro would limit Maguire’s game time this season, but he’s made 24 appearances across all competitions.
It helps Maguire feel settled that Amorim is an admirer.
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