Try GOLD - Free
Surprise skills complete Maguire's transformation
The Independent
|May 03, 2025
"I've always got nicknames," said Harry Maguire. Yet they are rarely this flattering.
A moment of trickery meant "Slabhead" became "Harrydinho", the unlikely flair player in the Manchester United ranks. "I'm happy with that one, that'll do," said Maguire after United's emphatic 3-0 win in Bilbao.
The Maguire shimmy, turning the luckless left-back Mikel Jauregizar one way and then the other, was unleashed against Athletic Bilbao, as if a tricky winger had been concealed in the body of a cumbersome centre-back. A fine cross followed, Casemiro scored and Manchester United led.
It might have been a cathartic moment for Maguire, but there have been a few. Two years ago, United went to Spain intent on winning the Europa League and departed defeated 3-0, Maguire and David de Gea horribly culpable in a capitulation to Sevilla.
Fast forward two years and it was Maguire who took United into the Europa League semi-finals, with his 121st-minute header against Lyon.
It was Maguire who then put them on the path towards the final. It came in a manner that surprised even long-time teammates. “What a winger,” said Bruno Fernandes. “I didn’t know he had that in his locker.”
This story is from the May 03, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Independent
The Independent
Kremlin is open to Ukraine joining EU, say US officials
Russia would accept Ukraine’s accession to the European Union as part of a US-brokered agreement to end the bloody and protracted war Vladimir Putin started nearly four years ago, US officials said yesterday following talks with Ukrainian representatives in Berlin.
2 mins
December 16, 2025
The Independent
Split apparent at Oxfam as chief executive forced out
Trustees say Halima Begum was ousted as the charity's chief executive because of an 'irretrievable breakdown in trust and confidence' in her ability to do the job (ITV)
3 mins
December 16, 2025
The Independent
Parents of baby in Liverpool parade attack hail 'miracle'
Family tell Alex Ross how five-month-old Teddy was thrown 15 feet along the road in his pram but suffered no injuries
3 mins
December 16, 2025
The Independent
'I don't necessarily need sex – just emotional proximity'
If you had shown me a snapshot of our relationship now, back when we first met, I would not have imagined in a million years that this is how we would be living. But I am trying not to regret anything. We have two lovely children and they are happy, and that is worth a lot. I try to concentrate on how rewarding and enriching my relationship with them is - rather than on my marriage.
5 mins
December 16, 2025
The Independent
FIZZ WITH RIZZ
Sabrina Sahota finds the top champagne deals for Christmas
2 mins
December 16, 2025
The Independent
Antisemitism has never been defeated... it has just evolved
The answer lies in understanding the nature of antisemitism - and the way it has mutated since the ultimate crime of the Holocaust.
3 mins
December 16, 2025
The Independent
Starmer calls for action on chants at Palestine marches
Sir Keir Starmer has called for a police crackdown on antisemitic chanting at demonstrations, including pro-Palestine marches, saying the government \"won't tolerate\" it.
4 mins
December 16, 2025
The Independent
Stokes urges side to show 'bit of dog' in crucial Test
Ben Stokes has challenged his England team to bare their teeth and prove they have “a bit of dog” in them as their Ashes campaign reaches must-win territory in Adelaide.
2 mins
December 16, 2025
The Independent
Ex-marine who drove into parade crowd was 'enraged
An ex-Royal Marine drove his car into a crowd of people attending Liverpool football club's victory parade in a rage, using the 1.9-tonne Ford Galaxy as a weapon to strike more than 100 supporters in a two-minute rampage, a court heard.
3 mins
December 16, 2025
The Independent
Reiner's shine made many of us fall in love with movies
As the man behind classics such as 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'The Princess Bride', he created astonishingly warm and humane films that envelop you like a hug
3 mins
December 16, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size