Former Wales star hails Harry Maguire’s last-minute goal as one of Man United’s greatest stories

From getting trolled to being regarded as a hero, Maguire has been through a lot
On Thursday, Manchester United pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in football history, overturning a two-goal deficit in just five minutes by netting three goals. Centre-back Harry Maguire, often the subject of online memes, emerged as the unlikely hero, scoring the decisive goal that sent United into the Europa League semi-finals after a dramatic extra-time victory over Lyon at Old Trafford.

Harry Maguire has become Manchester United’s last-minute hero, becoming a beacon for all footballers who would not back down. United’s incredible, extra-time win over Lyon on Thursday evening gave one of the most exciting and bizarre comebacks in the game. Maguire’s strike felt appropriate. Despite suffering continuous criticism over two years at Old Trafford, he persevered, fought all the negative attention, and showed what he’s worth time and time again.

The Lyon game is supposed to be the beacon of change for United
Harry Maguire has had the captaincy stripped, lost his England spot, been dropped, and faced constant doubts about his suitability for Ruben Amorim’s system from fans and pundits alike. Yet, despite it all, he delivered a moment that will be remembered for years… his winning goal against Lyon is already being talked about as one of United’s most iconic scenes of chaos.

This could mark a turning point for Amorim. His own Mark Robins moment, similar to when Robins supposedly saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job with an FA Cup winner at Nottingham Forest in 1990. It echoes Steve Bruce’s dramatic late headers against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993 that left Brian Kidd celebrating on his knees.

Some supporters are even putting Maguire’s moment alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s historic winner in the Nou Camp that sealed the Treble in 1999.

Former Welsh International Robbie Savage sheds more light on the miracle that happened

“United’s comeback has certainly saved United’s season, and you wonder if it has also saved Amorim from taking that long walk to the boardroom.”

“To an extent, I can empathise with Maguire’s predicament when he was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and United reportedly accepted a £30million bid for him from West Ham.”

“There’s an embarrassment about being surplus to requirements – you feel as though people are looking at you in the dressing room, or when you’re out with the family you are looking out for the sideways glances from people thinking, “He’s a failure.”

“I have so much admiration for Maguire after the way he has come through all the lows at United because he’s had an unbelievable career. When he looks back, he might reflect on the last coupe of years and wonder, “How on earth did I get through that?”

If Manchester United go on to lift the Europa League amid the wreckage of a dismal Premier League campaign, Harry Maguire’s resurrection will be remembered as a defining chapter in the club’s modern history. Ruben Amorim’s bold decision to push Maguire up top in the dying moments against Lyon not only changed the game but rewrote the narrative around a player who refused to quit. That moment of tactical courage might just become the spark that reignites United’s European legacy.