Maguire surprised

Harry Maguire has had a spectacular transformation in recent times, with impressive goals and handling situations.

On a night of European football full of excitement, when Manchester United crushed Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at San Mames on May 2, no one expected that the most talked about hero would be a mercilessly ridiculed centre-back. Harry Maguire - the name that went from "Slabhead" to "Harrydinho" in just one magical night in Spain.

The magical moment of "Harrydinho"

In the 22nd minute, San Mames suddenly fell silent. Not because of a clumsy clearance as people often imagine Maguire, but on the contrary, because of an artistic handling.

Receiving the ball on the right flank, facing defender Mikel Jauregizar, the English centre-back did not choose the usual safe solution. Instead, he performed a delicate turn and a turn that made viewers think they were witnessing the return of Ronaldinho.

The precise cross was then lightly touched by Ugarte before Casemiro headed the ball into the home team's net. An unexpected architect opened the victory for the "Red Devils".

"Maybe they didn't really trust my crossing ability," Maguire said after the match with a rare smile. "Even I didn't think there would be so many teammates waiting in the box!"

Across social media platforms, the nickname "Harrydinho" spread like a viral phenomenon. Videos of his tackle were shared hundreds of thousands of times, accompanied by surprised comments: "Who possessed Maguire's body?" or "Ronaldinho has been reborn as an English midfielder!"

It is hard to believe that just two years ago, on this same Spanish soil, Maguire was the focus of harsh criticism after the 0-3 defeat to Sevilla in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals. At that time, the English midfielder and goalkeeper David de Gea's mistakes caused the "Red Devils" to stop in shame.

Maguire is different now.

Maguire’s renaissance journey has not been an overnight affair. Before his brilliant performance in Bilbao, he made a decisive mark with a goal in the 120+1 minute against Lyon, sending Manchester United through to the dramatic quarter-finals. And it didn’t stop there, the former Leicester centre-back’s attacking moves have become increasingly effective, from powerful headers to delicate passes.

Bruno Fernandes, the current captain of Manchester United, could not hide his surprise: "I didn't know Harry had such ability. It's like watching a real winger. Maybe we should play him on the right wing!".

The 2024/25 season will see a completely new Maguire. Not only is he a pillar in the defense with his precise interceptions and timely interceptions, he is also a constant threat in set pieces with his 1.94m height and impressive jumping power. Now, one must add to the list a Maguire with exquisite ball handling ability, rarely seen in a defender known as "concrete".

Behind this transformation is a journey full of determination. From being painfully stripped of the captaincy, being benched for a long time, and even almost leaving Old Trafford to join West Ham, Maguire chose to stay and fight even when former coach Erik ten Hag no longer had faith in him.

"Harry is an example to everyone of perseverance and the ability to overcome adversity," said new coach Ruben Amorim. "He never complains, always trains hard and is ready when the team needs him. Those are the qualities of a true warrior."

Hero of decisive moments

Asked if this was the best season of his career, Maguire modestly replied: "I don't think so. The first two seasons at Manchester United were really the peak, when we kept the most clean sheets in Europe and finished second in the Premier League. But I have to admit, the big moments this season are really more memorable than any other season."

Maguire shows he still has value.

It’s the moments that have defined Maguire in the eyes of fans: the stoppage-time equaliser against Porto in the League phase Europa League, the decisive header against Lyon, and now the ‘Harrydinho’ performance at San Mames. Maguire is becoming the true hero of the moment – something Old Trafford has been waiting for since he arrived for £80m in 2019.

Manchester United are going through a turbulent season. A mid-season coaching change, a series of injuries, and disappointing results in the Premier League have left the "Red Devils" in crisis. Maguire himself has not hesitated to admit this harsh truth.

"It wasn't a successful season overall," the 31-year-old centre-back said frankly. "We were inconsistent, lost too many games and didn't adapt quickly enough to tactical changes. But football always gives us a chance to redeem ourselves, and the Europa League is our biggest chance at the moment."

With a 3-0 lead after the first leg, Manchester United are well on their way to the Europa League final at San Mames on May 22. If the Red Devils can lift the prestigious trophy, no one deserves more credit than Harry Maguire - who has gone through a journey from outcast to unlikely hero.

"From 'Slabhead' to 'Harrydinho', only football can create such magical stories," former player Rio Ferdinand told BT Sport. "Harry proves that in football, it's never too late to rewrite your own story."

With the return leg at Old Trafford looming, Manchester United fans are eagerly awaiting the return of "Harrydinho". Will the brilliance at San Mames continue to shine, or is it just a once-in-a-lifetime miracle? Either way, Harry Maguire has made the football world take a second look at a centre-back who was once mercilessly ridiculed.

Source: https://znews.vn/maguire-gay-ngo-ngang-post1550620.html