How Maguire put final disappointments behind him

Harry Maguire, a virtual ever-present for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since joining from Leicester City in the summer of 2019, had suffered an ankle ligament injury at Aston Villa earlier that month.

It was an issue that curtailed the defender’s domestic season and would ultimately end his hopes of leading the Reds out in a major European final.

Maguire was named as a substitute by Solskjaer for the match against Villarreal but, clearly unfit, remained on the bench as the Yellow Submarine frustrated United for 120 minutes before edging a seemingly endless penalty shootout.

Harry’s bitter disappointment was clear for all to see and, although he recovered to play a leading role in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final, further agony was to follow at Wembley.

The centre-back’s struggles under Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick the following campaign have been well-documented and, by the time the Reds reached another final, he was no longer an automatic pick.

Erik ten Hag preferred Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as his central partnership, and it was that pair who did the bulk of the defensive work as Newcastle United were seen off in the Carabao Cup decider.

Maguire was introduced in the dying embers and led the silverware celebrations with Bruno Fernandes, but it was presumably not how the former Leicester man would ideally have pictured lifting his first significant trophy as a professional.

A chance to complete a rare domestic cup double came and went, with City victorious in the first Manchester derby final.

Maguire stayed on the bench for that one and, when the two clubs met for a rendezvous 12 months later, won by United, he was sidelined through injury again – a problem that would also keep him out of the European Championship in Germany.

To miss one final is unfortunate, but to have to sit out of three in four years with club and country just seems cruel.

But now, as we approach another showpiece event, Harry has the perfect opportunity to put those frustrations behind him – and few in football would begrudge him that.

After all, it’s doubtful United would even be here in Bilbao without his contributions in this competition.

His thumping last-minute header in Porto rescued a point back in October, saving the Reds from defeat.

We’re still unbeaten in Europe this term but flirted with elimination on a now famous night at Old Trafford, coming back from the brink to beat Lyon with three goals in six extra-time minutes.

Maguire’s winner, just as we were preparing for penalties, sparked some of the most stirring scenes ever seen in M16. In years to come, how will that header be remembered in United’s journey under Ruben Amorim?

With Martinez ruled out for the season, Matthijs de Ligt not in the squad and Leny Yoro’s involvement a question mark after his recent absence, Maguire will have to be one of the main characters if we are to overcome Tottenham Hotspur and claim the prize at San Mames.

Should we do so, Champions League football next season beckons and who knows how that competition and its financial rewards could speed up the development of Amorim’s side.

How big a role Maguire plays in that remains to be seen but, in the here and now, he’s seized the moment with both hands.

Can he be United’s hero again?