Harry Maguire has credited the aura of Old Trafford in helping Manchester United complete a stunning 5-4 comeback over Lyon in the Europa League.
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Maguire with winner for Man UtdCentre-half's goal last of nine at Old Trafford on ThursdayWill face Athletic Club in semi-finalsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Maguire was speaking to in the aftermath of one of Old Trafford's greatest European nights. While the England international was clearly ecstatic with the result and his important intervention, he still found time to criticise the performance, saying the Red Devils should never have allowed themselves to fall into such a perilous position against ten men. Corentin Tolisso was shown a second yellow in the 89th minute.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The centre-half turned into a No.9 for the last ten minutes of extra time, providing a vocal point in attack for United's comeback attempts. With the game tied at 4-4, Ruben Amorim's tactics paid off in full, as Maguire outwitted Moussa Niakhate at the back post to nod home. A VAR check for a hand in the Lyon defender's back didn't unduly worry the former-United captain, who said there was "nowhere near enough" contact for a foul.
WHAT HARRY MAGUIRE SAID
Maguire said: "Obviously it's an incredible game, we made really hard work of it. We had full control in the second half, had chances to score a third, then they scored out of no where. It put us on the back foot.
"To go down 4-2 in extra-time to 10 men is not good enough, we opened ourselves too much. But we dug in and showed great spirit, that's what this stadium does."
On his goal, he added: "I felt like the fourth goal for them was a sucker punch but that we'd get chances to get back into it. It fell to myself and thankfully I scored, it was an amazing feeling. [Niakhate] was back-pedalling but I just held him there, with my hand, there was no where near enough for a foul."
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?
The success of United's season lands solely on their efforts in the Europa League. Maguire and his team-mates continue their pursuit of silverware when they travel to Athletic Club in the first leg of the semi-final on May 1.