It had to be Harry Maguire showing the defiance to decide this 217th meeting of English football’s biggest rivals. It had to be Manchester United’s strong-willed centre-back getting on the end of Bruno Fernandes’s clever cross and powering his header into Liverpool’s net.
It had to be Maguire because he cares so deeply about the reputation of the team and of the club. It hurts him when United struggle, as they have for so long. It wounds him that he himself gets mocked, even by some United fans who demanded the club sell “Slab-head,” as he’s known.
In 2023, it was found that Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo were the most abused footballers on social media. His mother, Zoe, even defended her son in public, decrying the abuse as “disgraceful.” He missed a great, late chance to win it here at Anfield last year and the criticism flowed again. But now Maguire had this moment of redemption. Maguire has cult hero status for scoring such a vital, historic goal.
Ruben Amorim trusted Maguire’s experience and leadership in his third start of the league season ahead of Leny Yoro’s pace and promise in the Anfield passion-pit. Amorim was so determined to have Maguire at the heart of his three-man central defence that he pushed Matthijs de Ligt to the right away from the Dutchman’s favoured central role.
With Luke Shaw to his left, Maguire faced Liverpool’s changing central threat of Alexander Isak, then Hugo Ekitiké and Federico Chiesa, and frequently Virgil van Dijk, when he came up for corners or towards the end. Cody Gakpo troubled Liverpool from the flank, but Maguire otherwise marshalled the defence superbly through word and deed.
To think some fans wanted him out. Just as well the club didn’t. This was a massive win for United, their first in almost a decade at Anfield. This was also huge for their besieged manager, Ruben Amorim. Finally, he had a statement victory, away from home, at an intimidating venue, against the champions and their oldest rivals.
A draw would have been acceptable, but this triumph meant everything for fans and players, for manager, his staff and the owners. United’s greatest ever manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, watched on and will have recognised the fighting spirit shown by Maguire and company.
