Maguire ready to repeat first-day success
Harry Maguire will be channelling special memories of previous opening day successes at Old Trafford when Manchester United host Arsenal on Sunday.
The first game of our Premier League season is always an exciting one, but when a fixture like this begins the campaign, there’s almost an extra something in the air in M16, as Maguire knows well.
Our no.5 made his United debut in an unexpected and memorable 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea in 2019, and was later part of the team who put five past Leeds United in the first game back at a full Old Trafford, post-pandemic, in 2021.
Now, he’s hoping to give supporters another day like those to remember long into the future.
“You always get excited with that first game,” he told us.
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"But you [also] know it’s a big game. Arsenal are top team, one of the best teams in the Premier League and we've always had great rivalries with them.
"I think Sunday at Old Trafford, I'm sure it'll be sunny again and it always is on that first day. We've had some good memories on the first day at Old Trafford since I've been here.
"I can remember my debut against Chelsea and we played Leeds as well, so it's been an amazing experience.
"It's an amazing stadium, it's going to be an amazing atmosphere. We've prepared well and now we've just got this last week to get through and prepare as well as we can and go into the game.
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"As a footballer, it's probably the most nervous you are for a game but also the one that you most looking forward to as well.
"So, a lot of emotion into the game and like I said it's a perfect fixture for us. A big game, big occasion and hopefully we can step up."