Fans all say the same thing as Harry Maguire’s stunning run and cross sets Man United on their way to dream first half against Athletic Bilbao

Fans were left stunned after Harry Maguire showed off his dribbling skills in Manchester United’s Europa League win over Athletic Bilbao.

After a tense first half hour to the first leg of the semi-final tie, Maguire burst forward from centre back and found himself on the right wing.

Rather than cutting back and taking the easy passing option, Maguire twsisted and turned to get past his man before producing an excellent cross than was flicked on by Manuel Ugarte and headed home by Casemiro. 

He may not have got the assist, but there was no doubting that it was Maguire’s moment of magic that created the goal, and fans took to social media to hail the England defender’s contribution.

‘HARRY MAGUIRE OR LAMINE YAMAL?!’ one fan jokingly asked after the 17-year-old wonderkid starred for Barcelona in their 3-3 draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday.

‘My centre back, my centre forward, my winger: Harry Maguire!’ another X user added.

While Yamal is being touted as a future Ballon d’Or winner, Maguire was also compared to someone who previously won that award.

‘Harry Maguire moving like Ronaldinho on the wing,’ they claimed.

Goals have been hard to come by for United this season, with Ruben Amorim unable to get the best out of his attacking players.

Creating chances has been a major issue, and one fan even claimed Maguire had shown the way forward for United’s first-choice wingers.

‘Maguire shown better wingplay than Garnacho all season,’ the fan posted on X.

‘That wing play from Maguire for the 1st goal was the best we’ve seen from a United winger in 15 years!’ another supporter insisted.

After United completed a 3-0 victory thanks to a brace from Bruno Fernandes, Maguire was asked about his run and cross.

‘It was nice to do a bit of dribbling and put in a great cross,’ he told TNT Sports. ‘We had a lot of bodies in the box so they must have trusted me to get that cross in! It was a nice feeling and Case put it into the back of the net. It was a great header in the end.’

The TNT Sports interviewer then joked that fans were calling Maguire ‘Harrydinho’ on social media, which went down well with the defender.

‘I’m sure there’s a few nicknames out there for me,’ he joked. ‘But no, it’s important for me, the win. It was a clinical first half, a professional second half. We had chances to get the fourth, but it’s another great victory in the end.’ 

Maguire has been thrown up front at times this season by Amorim when United have been searching for late goals, and he proved his worth in the final third again on Thursday.

Amorim was full of praise for the 32-year-old in his post-match interview.

‘He’s a good winger,’ Amorim chuckled. Harry had some difficult moments where everything he did, I don’t want to say wrong, but it’s that word. And now, everything he does is good for the team so he has to enjoy it.’ 

Fernandes replaced Maguire as United captain back in 2023, but was delighted for his team-mate as he insisted he has only grown in confidence in recent weeks.

‘I said that straight away “what a winger”,’ Fernandes said when asked for his verdict on Maguire’s inspired moment.

‘I don’t think he even thought he had that in his locker. No one was expecting that, not even the opposition was expecting that to come. Harry’s a much more confident man now, things are coming through. 

‘He’s getting goals, defending very well, his position is becoming more and more strong. He’s a very good leader, a good thing for him and we hope he just keeps improving.’

United are now huge favourites to progress to the Europa League final after dominating the first leg.

The return match will be played at Old Trafford next week, with United set to return to Bilbao for the final against either Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt on May 21 if they can keep hold of their advantage.