MANCHESTER UNITED skipper Harry Maguire demanded his side bring home the Europa League trophy after a “promising” season.
The England star joined from Leicester over the summer in a huge deal worth £85million.
Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire is determined to lift the Europa League trophyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And the centre-back was quickly installed as Red Devils skipper after showing outstanding leadership potential.
United’s good form in the latter part of the Premier League season – boosted by the arrival of Bruno Fernandes in January – saw Maguire steer them to a third-placed finish.
But it is a piece of silverware that would really crown a successful first campaign.
And United can put themselves 90 minutes away from a European trophy if they see off Sevilla in tonight’s Europa League semi-final.
Ahead of the big game, Maguire said: “I joined this club to win trophies.
“I fully expect to win trophies while I’m at this club.
“Getting to semi-finals isn’t good enough for this club.
“It’s been a promising year in the Premier League, we’ve finished third.
“It’s not something that this club wants to do, finish third, but at the start of the season from where we were last year, I’m sure a lot of people would have taken that.
“But, for the future, that’s not where we want to be. We want to be winning trophies, the Premier League and other cups.
“So semi-finals are nice to get to, but you’ve really got to get the job done and make the final and then go on to win it.”
Maguire watched on as United crashed out of both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage this season.
And the former Foxes ace will hope it is third time lucky for his side as they bid to reach the Europa League final in Cologne.
The club have not won a trophy since Jose Mourinho led them to glory in the very same competition in 2017.
Bruno Fernandes deviated from his usual hopping penalty technique to strike from the spot in extra time against Copenhagen in the quarter-final to seal United’s progression.
The Portuguese midfielder’s effort saw the Red Devils scrape into the last four despite the best efforts of hero keeper Karl-Johan Johnsson who made 13 saves.
Sevilla dumped Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves out of the competition courtesy of a late goal from Lucas Ocampos and tonight’s winners will play either Inter Milan or Shaktar Donetsk for the title.
Simon Jordan says Harry Maguire is a ‘good central defender’, but is ‘gobsmacked he’s an £80m central defender’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
