Andre Onana and Harry Maguire, two of the most criticized individuals throughout the season, unexpectedly shone brightly to help MU defeat Copenhagen. This match may not only be a turning point for Onana and Maguire, but also for coach Erik ten Hag.
For over four seasons, Harry Maguire has experienced a rollercoaster journey at Manchester United. He started off like a dream, quickly securing a starting spot and even being appointed captain just a few months after his record-breaking £80 million transfer from Leicester. However, Maguire’s form dwindled over time, and he was even deemed surplus to requirements.
MU fans and rival supporters alike heavily criticized the English defender. Under Erik ten Hag, Maguire made only 20 appearances out of a possible 47, totaling less than 1,000 minutes on the pitch.
On the other hand, Onana was a highly-rated addition to the team during the summer. The club spent a massive £47 million to bring the Cameroonian goalkeeper to Old Trafford following his outstanding performances at Inter.
But things did not go according to plan. Premier League mistakes were exacerbated in the Champions League, including a dismal performance earlier in the season in a home loss to Galatasaray.
Onana became the target of criticism, with many questioning the reason behind his hefty price tag, while calls for re-signing David de Gea grew louder.
However, in the decisive match against Copenhagen, this duo emerged as the unexpected heroes who kept Manchester United’s hopes alive in the Champions League.
Maguire capitalized on the injury crisis in the defense, securing regular playing time in recent matches. He made the most of this opportunity, putting in impressive performances against Brentford and Sheffield United before shining against Copenhagen.
In the 72nd minute, Maguire showcased his abilities with a powerful header after a precise cross from Christian Eriksen. This goal broke the deadlock and provided the only goal of the match, securing MU’s first 3 points in the Champions League group stage for the 2023/24 season.
This was Maguire’s second goal in the Champions League, with his first coming against Atalanta in October 2021. In the Copenhagen match, the English center-back had 89 touches, completed 72 out of 82 passes successfully, won 5 aerial duels, had 4 successful ground duels, made 1 block, and scored 1 goal.
Nevertheless, the celebration would have been incomplete without the contribution of his teammate, Onana. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Scott McTominay committed a foul on Mohamed Elyounoussi, granting Copenhagen a penalty.
Signs of despair began to loom, and MU fans feared another disappointing result. However, Onana stepped up at the right moment with a brilliant save, denying Jordan Larsson’s penalty kick. This save was no different from a goal for Manchester United, ensuring a complete 3-point victory and rekindling hope in the group stage after losing the first two matches.
After the match, both Maguire and Onana received thunderous applause from the fans at Old Trafford. It was a well-deserved recognition of their tireless efforts.
Goalkeeper Onana shared, “I’m just doing my job. I have to do it to bring victory to MU. We had a great match. We are Manchester United, a very big club. I have no doubt that we will advance to the Champions League knockout stage.â€
Maguire added, “It’s incredible. We played with more determination and achieved results in the second half. The first half was really terrible, but in the second half, we played much better. I’m really proud and pleased with how I’ve acted in the last 6-12 months. Now I have been given the opportunity, and I just want to be here to help the team and take this club back where it belongs.â€
In a difficult moment, Manchester United and Erik ten Hag were rescued by players who were seemingly on their way out. This could be a turning point for the team and for individuals like Onana and Maguire.
