Maguire’s fiery response to a controversial penalty decision highlights his leadership.
Gabriel equalized soon after, and then Harry Maguire found himself on the wrong end of a terrible penalty call against Kai Havertz. The ref, Andrew Madley, really messed that one up. Maguire was visibly frustrated, shaking his head and letting Havertz know exactly what he thought of his dive. It was a moment that got the fans buzzing!
Despite being down a man, United held on, and when Altay Bayindir saved Havertz’s penalty in the shootout, it was a huge boost for the team. Joshua Zirkzee then stepped up and scored the winning penalty, sending the away fans into a frenzy.
Maguire has been stepping up as a leader under Ruben Amorim, and his reaction to that penalty decision showed just how much he cares. Amorim had made a bold choice to start Bayindir, and while he had some shaky moments, he managed to keep his cool when it mattered.
Fernandes was also a standout, organizing the team and even running to the bench to make sure everyone was in the right position. The warm-ups have been more engaging lately, focusing on real-game situations, which is a nice change.
And let’s not forget the fans! Nearly 8,000 United supporters made the trip to London, despite the ticket allocation drama. They made their presence felt, cheering loudly from behind the goal. It’s moments like these that make cup competitions so special!