Europa League success would not mask Manchester United problems, admits Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire says winning the Europa League won’t mean this has been a successful season for Manchester United.

United go into tomorrow night’s quarter-final, second leg against Lyon with the tie delicately poised following the 2-2 draw at the Groupama Stadium last week.

It was a solid performance from Ruben Amorim’s side that arguably deserved better but was undermined by two errors from goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The frailties that have been evident all season swiftly returned in Sunday’s 4-1 hammering at Newcastle, however – a result that saw United slip to 14th in the Premier League table.

Training in the rain 🤝 Running the gauntlet 😅#MUFC || #UEL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 16, 2025

Maguire was rested for the trip to St James’ Park and will return for tomorrow night’s game at Old Trafford but the England international admits not even a European trophy can mask the struggles United have had this season.

He said: “There is no doubt about it that if we do win the Europa League it is still going to be a disappointing season for us as players but winning that would be a big bonus.

“Playing for this club demands trophies and winning the Europa League would be a special one. It would give us access to the Champions League next season, something we obviously cannot gain through the Premier League because our results haven’t been good enough.

“From the start of the season we have been far too inconsistent.

“I think the performances have picked up of late. However, I still think there are key aspects in the game where us players have got to take more responsibility and have to change them in our favour. There have been a lot of games that have been 50/50 and we have ended up on the bad end of a result. That is something we need to work on as a team, as a group of players.

“Tomorrow night is an important night for us in the competition. A big game at Old Trafford, European night and one we are looking forward to.”

Onana will play against Lyon

Amorim confirmed Onana will return in goal and Maguire tipped him to shine, claiming he is an “excellent goalkeeper”.

He said: “First and foremost Andre has proved in his past that he is an excellent goalkeeper. He has won numerous trophies, he has played Champions League finals. During a career you always have spells of ups and downs and you find yourself a little bit out of form. It is about how you build yourself back in and find that confidence to perform again.

“At the moment he is probably feeling that everything is going against him. You take it game-by-game. He’ll be there tomorrow night and he is a big personality, a big character and he will be looking forward to the game. He will want to show everyone again what he is about.

“Playing in front of Andre is great. I have confidence in Andre, he has had a fantastic career.”

LYON WITH A LATE GOAL! 💥

Andre Onana’s save is spilled into a dangerous area and Rayan Cherki makes no mistake ⚽

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/63a9d5BJs1

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 10, 2025

Maguire urges Onana to ignore critics

Onana brought the spotlight on himself prior to the first leg with an undignified spat with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic.

And Maguire, who knows what it is like to be the centre of unwanted attention, advised Onana to keep his head down, work hard and things will change.

The experienced centre-half said: “You try your best to ignore it all. Focus on your job, come in on a daily basis and do your best. I always said to myself ‘that’s all you can do’. Tomorrow night is another game of football and you go on that pitch and you give absolutely everything. 

“When you walk off you say to yourself I have left everything out there and no matter how you perform that is only what you can do.

“It is the same for any player who wears this badge, it comes with a responsibility to perform. When you don’t perform and when the league results aren’t good enough, there are people who come under the spotlight. 

“I have been in that situation myself but all you can do is day-in day-out do your best, work as hard as possible and take each game as it comes.”