Maguire reviews United's 2022/23 season
As we edge closer to our two remaining games of 2022/23, Manchester United could yet finish the season third in the Premier League table - and we also have the opportunity for more silverware.
The Reds host Marco Silva’s Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday for our final Premier League game, before taking on fierce rivals Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 3 June.
It’s clear to see the progress we’ve already made under Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff, after winning the Carabao Cup and confirming a return to the Champions League next season.
As the conclusion to an action-packed campaign draws closer, club captain Harry Maguire has been looking back at the key events that have brought us to this point so far in 2022/23, such as the winter break for the World Cup and winning the Carabao Cup in February.
You can read Harry's interview, which will feature in Sunday's matchday programme, United Review, below...
What's inside the final United Review of 22/23?
ArticleThe 33rd and final programme of an epic season can be ordered online or bought at Old Trafford on Sunday.
THE TURNING POINT
United’s first three points in 2022/23 came in a 2-1 victory over Liverpool, at Old Trafford, following disappointing defeats to Brighton and Brentford in our opening two league games.
Jadon Sancho’s calm and composed finish opened the scoring against Jurgen Klopp’s side, before Marcus Rashford’s clinical strike clinched the game in the second half.
Asked about how crucial that win against the Merseysiders was, Maguire said: “That was a really important game for us. Obviously, we got off to a poor start in the season.
“We had a really good pre-season, then the first game of the season, I felt like we didn’t play bad, but we were unfortunate to lose against Brighton. Then we had a really disappointing second game [against Brentford].
“So yeah, it was a really important win against Liverpool, under the lights, and we know how special it’s been at Old Trafford this season. We’ve had some big performances, big wins and it’s been a real fortress for us. It’s something we need to carry on and take into the next season if we’re going to be successful.
“I don’t think we played amazing, but in terms of importance to the season, I’d probably say that was the most important win.”
The Premier League season was put on pause in November for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Maguire played for England, making five appearances before Gareth Southgate’s side were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals.
Our club captain stressed how key it was for United to make a strong start after the league season resumed in late December, which we achieved with seven straight victories in league and cup competitions.
“It was a quick turnaround, but I think in some respects it’s felt a bit like two seasons,” Maguire said.
“It’s been that long! You have the break in between and in some aspects, you can look at it as two different parts of the season.
“It was important that we started well, started strong coming back off the World Cup and I think we did that, and we were able to kick on. There’s still a lot of areas where we need to improve to get this club back to where it should be, but we’re progressing.”
CARABAO CUP TRIUMPH
The Reds defeated Newcastle United 2-0 at Wembley in February to win the Carabao Cup, thanks to goals from Casemiro and Rashford.
This was Ten Hag’s first trophy as United manager and the club’s first piece of silverware since 2017, and Maguire spoke proudly of the significance of our success in this competition.
“It was really important, a really important game for us, a really good cup run, a convincing cup run,” he told club media. “It was a real, I’d say, solid performance in the final.
“We didn’t play our best, but we got an important goal from a set play with Casemiro and then we really kicked on and we looked solid, and we stayed behind the ball, and we saw it out really well in the second half.
“It was really important for the club to get our hands on a trophy for the first time in six years. And for myself, obviously, it was a proud moment for me to lift the Carabao Cup.”
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THE FA CUP FINAL
United saw off Everton, Reading, West Ham, Fulham and Brighton on the way to the FA Cup final, but Maguire reaffirmed that our focus won’t shift to the Wembley showpiece until after the final league game of the season.
Speaking before United secured a place in the Champions League for next year, with the 4-1 win over Chelsea, our no.5 said: “We’ve done really well getting to the FA Cup final. We’ve played in a lot of games this season, a lot of competitions and we’ve gone far in them all.
“So, it’s going to be a great occasion but I must say, we’re not really focused on that at the moment.
“We’ve got ‘cup finals’ before that in the league and after Fulham, there’ll be a great vibe around the place if we’ve managed to get [into] that top four – and then we’ll prepare well for the FA Cup final.”