HARRY MAGUIRE received a hero’s welcome from his Manchester United teammates after scoring a crucial winner against Liverpool.
United took an early lead through Bryan Mbeumo‘s deft finish in the opening minutes of the game, before a Cody Gakpo tap-in levelled the scoring.
Maguire then came up for a set piece in the latter stages of the game and escaped Ibrahima Konate at the back post to power an 84th-minute header home.
The goal was the decisive blow in the Red Devils’ 2-1 win at Anfield, their first win at the venue in almost a decade.
He was clapped and cheered by his teammates and staff on his return to the changing room after his post-match interview.
He also received a hug from captain Bruno Fernandes, whose impressive first-time delivery set up the goal.
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Manager Ruben Amorim was pleased to see the scenes in the dressing room, but was less happy with one aspect of his team’s celebrations.
The Portuguese told press: “I love to see the players happy, this makes my life most happy.
“But there is such bad music being played in the dressing room now. My music taste is much better.”
Maguire’s return was a touching moment for the defender, who has undergone his ups and downs with the club in recent years.
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One fan pointed out one such hardship, when the former club captain lost his leadership spot under manager Erik ten Hag.
They responded to the celebrations, saying: “Still can’t believe Ten Hag stripped this guy of his captaincy.”
The now-32-year-old was signed for a record £85million from Leicester City in 2019, but faced ridicule after multiple runs of poor form left him in and out of the starting squad at Old Trafford.
But the England international has been brought back into the fold by Amorim this season, including being named in the club’s new ‘leadership group.’
Sunday’s winner was his first goal of the season, but it is hard to imagine a better time to score it than away against the defending Premier League champions, to hand them their fourth straight loss in all competitions.
Man Utd ratings vs Liverpool
MANCHESTER UNITED secured a famous win away at Liverpool courtesy of a late Harry Maguire header.
The Red Devils had not won at Anfield since 2016, but Ruben Amorim’s bold tactical moves paid off.
Though they did have to rely on a bad day in front of goal for their hosts as both Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo missed sitters.
Whereas down the other end, Bryan Mbeumo scored after less than two minutes with a shot that Georgi Mamardashvili may feel he should have kept out.
Gakpo did get on the scoresheet with one of his many chances as he tapped in almost on the goal-line.
But Man Utd weathered a storm from the Reds and Bruno Fernandes’ brilliant assist allowed Harry Maguire to head home the winner.
Here’s how SunSport’s Samuel Luckhurst rated the Red Devils’ stars.
Read the full article here