Harry Maguire expressed his delight after scoring the match-winner in Manchester United's 1-0 win over Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday following a "tough" period at the club.
The 30-year-old has struggled to gain regular first-team football under the tutelage of Erik ten Hag, with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof all regarded ahead of him in the pecking order.
However, in the absence of the injured Martinez, Maguire has taken his chance in the first team, following up a man-of-the-match display in last weekend's 2-1 win over Sheffield United by scoring a crucial goal – his first since February 2022 – to help Man United claim their first three points in Group A of the Champions League.
Following a dreadful first-half performance, the Red Devils took their time to pose a threat in the final third after the interval, but they eventually made the breakthrough when substitute and man-of-the-match Christian Eriksen delivered a pin-point cross into the six-yard area where Maguire powered home a close-range header.
Maguire has received plenty of criticism and unjust abuse from supporters for some time, but the Old Trafford faithful were rightly cheering his name after United's victory over Copenhagen.
The Englishman was thrilled to contribute on a memorable night for the Red Devils along with another player who has come under-fire in goalkeeper Andre Onana, who saved a stoppage-time penalty in dramatic fashion to help United keep hold of all three points.
Discussing his goal in an interview with MUTV, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Maguire said: "It was an amazing ball [from Eriksen]. It was really tough to get something from a corner tonight, their big centre half kept heading them all away, but it was a second phase and I knew I had the beating of the man that was picking me up.
"It was all about the delivery, which made it easy for me to hit the target from so close and an amazing feeling to score in front of the Stretford End in the Champions League and a big moment for myself, but more importantly, the team."
"Playing for this club, there's ups and downs," Maguire added whilst stood next to Onana. "When you win, everyone is on top of the world and when you lose, there's a crisis and it's always someone's fault. Andre is a big personality and he'll get used to it.
"He's going to be a big player for this club. He's had a lot of scrutiny but we've been giving him far too much to deal with as a defence, so it's a big moment for him and it's a really high-standard penalty save. I'm really pleased for him."
Maguire has admitted that he personally has experienced a difficult period at Man United, amid widespread criticism and reported uncertainty over his future due to a lack of game time, but the defender is pleased to have contributed to a positive result against Copenhagen.
"I'm just really happy to help the team win football matches," said Maguire. "I've been professional over the last year or so, it's been tough for me, not playing as much as I've done throughout my career, so it's been different.
"But that's football and playing for a big club, you have big competition, we have a lot of competition at centre-back, with some top, top quality players. I do believe that, so it's a really important part of the season for me.
"But it's only the start and I'm ready now to kick on, help the team and I'm looking forward to Sunday."
Reacting to his crucial penalty save, Onana told TNT Sports: "I'm just doing my job, the most important thing is to win against a tough team. I am happy for the victory, we did a good game and a big goal from Harry [Maguire].
"We are Manchester United. We are a big club, big players. It's just a matter of time, now we have to continue like this. I have no doubt we will make it."
Man United still have work to do in their quest to qualify for the Champions Legue knockout rounds, but the win over Copenhagen has seen them climb above the Danish side into third place in Group A, one point behind Galatasaray in second and six adrift of group leaders Bayern Munich. body check tags ::
