Manchester United’s Premier League campaign might have gone off the rails but they’ve given Olympique Lyon in Europe a nightmare they’ll never forget.
Such was the dramatic nature of Man Utd’s 5-4 win over Lyon that United struggled to get over it and lost 0-1 to Wolves in the very next game.
However, Lyon somehow had an even worse time of things as they took on St Etienne, their fierce rivals in a Ligue 1 fixture.
The mind games were brutal straight from the beginning as their fans brought Man Utd shirts to the game but the show-stealer was a banner they unfurled in the game thanking a United player.
Man Utd star thanked for Lyon nightmare
The architect of Lyon’s downfall in the Europa League were many, from Casemiro earning a penalty then assisting Harry Maguire, to Bruno Fernandes dispatching a crucial penalty.
However, St Etienne fans took a cult liking to one player who’s managed a brilliant turnaround to his career at Old Trafford.
That player, of course, is Harry Maguire, the man who scored the winning goal with his head in added time of extra time to create pandemonium at Old Trafford.
Much to the chagrin of Lyon and their fans, St Etienne fans unfurled a banner which read, “Merci Maguire”, translating to “Thank you, Maguire”.
There were also fans wearing shirts with “Merci” and “Maguire” written on the back standing next to each other to send the same message.
Harry Maguire an example at Man Utd
Maguire is unlikely to be too bothered by what’s going on in France at the moment because Man Utd is chaotic enough as it is.
However, this act by St Etienne fans, even as a rib, is a testament to how the narrative around Maguire has turned.
He’s gone from being the most villified player on the team, always the target of jokes and unsavoury remarks, to establishing himself again under a new manager.
It shouldn’t go unnoticed that when Amorim has needed a goal, he has chosen Maguire among other defenders to attack the box and he’s looked threatening every time.
It’s hard to say if he’ll have a future at the club beyond the expiry of his current contract in 2026 but his effort and professionalism should see him being looked back as a fan favourite at Old Trafford.
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