VIDEO SHOWS: COMMENTS FROM MANCHESTER UNITED CENTRE-BACK HARRY MAGUIRE AHEAD OF EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL IN BILBAO AGAINST TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR / MANCHESTER UNITED TRAINING

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 19, 2025) (NICHE MEDIA – Access all)

1. MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYERS LEAD BY BRUNO FERNANDES WALK INTO TRAINING / HARRY MAGUIRE, LUKE SHAW AMONG OTHERS FOLLOW

2. VICTOR LINDELOF TALKING TO FERNANDES WITH HIS ARMS AROUND HIS SHOULDER

3. ALEJANDRO GARNACHO TALKING TO AMAD DIALLO

4. MAGUIRE, CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN AMONG OTHER PLAYERS WARMING UP

5. GOALKEEPER ANDRE ONANA KICKING THE BALL

6. BRUNO FERNANDES, CASEMIRO AMONG OTHERS TRAINING

7. MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER RUBEN AMORIM KICKING THE BALL

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 14, 2025) (NICHE MEDIA – Access all)

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HARRY MAGUIRE SAYING:

“Yeah, definitely. At the time I was an important part of that team. We had a good team that year. We played really well. We had a good defensive record, but I had a nasty ankle injury so I know there was time and talk then but I was actually nowhere near fit for that final. I pushed and pushed, but I was still struggling to jog, never mind being able to go and play a final. So, looking back to that game, I actually think we played pretty well in the game. We were unlucky not to win the game in extra time and yeah, it’s always nice to get an opportunity against Spurs and in another final and we will be ready for it.”

9. WHITE FLASH

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HARRY MAGUIRE SAYING:

“I think there’s no doubt it’s been really difficult. I think once the last couple of months we have really we’ve without saying too much, we’ve focused on Europa League in terms of the starting 11. I mean, I can’t remember the last time I played 90 minutes in the Premier League, to be honest. And I’ve played all the Europa League games so no it’s been frustrating and it shouldn’t be like that because two months ago we should have been in a better position where we should be fighting for those Europa League positions and the Champions League positions, and that’s what this club demands. So when we found ourselves out of the Carabao and the FA Cup, it really gave us an opportunity in the Europa League and we’ve performed really well in it I must say. A difficult start maybe with a couple of draws. But no, we’ve performed really well and we know it’s not been good enough for this club, nowhere near good enough for our standards. And next season I know we will improve.”

11. WHITE FLASH

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HARRY MAGUIRE SAYING:

“I think the result stings to be honest I mean, we’re at home against West Ham in a full packed Old Trafford where little moments decide games and I keep saying it, we’ve just been nowhere near good enough defending our box and in the opponent’s box this year, and they change games. I mean we go away to Bilbao and the first goal changes the game. The first 30 minutes of the performance wasn’t an incredible performance, it was sloppy, but a goal changed the game. We’re playing West Ham and I am sitting on the bench and I’m watching the game and we’re controlling the game while dominating the game and that first attack to go and score and it’s 1-0 and then it’s just difficult. The first thing we need to do coming into next season, we need to be a lot more dominating in both boxes, and if we want to be successful, goals change games. And this year we’ve been nowhere near good enough in both boxes.”

13. WHITE FLASH

14. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HARRY MAGUIRE SAYING:

“I think regarding the captaincy, I think when Erik (Ten Hag) took the captaincy off me, I don’t think then I really wouldn’t want to be in a position to take the captaincy off someone who’s coming off the pitch, to be honest, that wasn’t a big deal at the time. No, I think in terms of my form, I think probably a 6 to 12 month period where the form wasn’t as good as it has been in the previous two years where it was excellent. I think people still talk a lot about this comeback and things like that. But it’s been two years now that I’ve been performing at a high level and I mean, last season every game I was available, I pretty much played even under Erik and I was a big blow when I missed the cup final for him. So it’s been a couple of years now. I feel in a good place. I feel very comfortable at this club and with my surroundings and the pressure that’s involved in it. It’s an amazing club and I’m really privileged and proud to be part of it.”

15. WHITE FLASH

16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HARRY MAGUIRE SAYING:

“They’ve been absolutely incredible this season. It is surprising the players how much they are backing us. We’ve disappointed them far too much. We’ve given some good times in the Europa League and some great memories in terms of winning the Derby at the Etihad and things. But no it’s even surprised me, I know I’d say they’re the greatest fans in the world I think this year they have proved that. It’s been remarkable and we get to play in front of them even though we’re not performing and that’s why I think we deserve it, they deserve it and we deserve everything we do to give them the great opportunity to go in the Cup final and give them that day out. And it’s only a good day out. Like you say, if we come back and win this one.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 19, 2025) (NICHE MEDIA – Access all)

17. VARIOUS OF THE TEAM PASSING THE BALL TO EACH OTHER

STORY: Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire is optimistic ahead of the Europa League final in Bilbao against Tottenham Hotspur, despite the club’s poor performance in the Premier League. Speaking ahead of the big game, Maguire thanked fans for backing the players despite their struggles and said the fans deserve a win.

Maguire also discussed his form in the past few months and opened up about losing the captaincy.

The once-dominant United are languishing in 16th in the Premier League standings and so winning the Europa League is their only route back into European football.

While a loss would be a massive blow for already-reeling United fans, it would also have a huge impact on the team’s bottom line with co-owner Jim Ratcliffe estimating the price on Champions League qualification is between 80 and 100 million pounds in broadcast, matchday and commercial income.

Hoisting the Europa League trophy would be a reason to celebrate during an otherwise wretched season.

United’s 1-0 Premier League defeat by Chelsea on Friday was their 18th loss of the campaign, meaning they will go the entire league season without winning two consecutive games for the first time in club history.

Their 18 defeats are the most since losing 20 in 1973-74, the last season in which they were relegated from the top flight. They have also gone eight successive league games without a win.

Victory in the final would also ease the criticism around the manager Ruben Amorim, as United’s FA Cup victory did last season for former manager Erik ten Hag, who signed a one-year contract extension days later, but was fired on Oct. 29, after a woeful start to this season.

(Production: Revathi Hariharan)