Harry Maguire has thrown his support behind Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after the team’s dramatic 3-3 Europa League draw against Porto. The match saw United give up an early two-goal lead, with goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund putting them ahead inside the first 20 minutes. However, Porto’s Pepe and Samu Omorodion turned the game around, leaving United on the ropes.
Tensions rose when Bruno Fernandes received a red card, his second in two consecutive matches, adding to United’s woes. But it was Harry Maguire who rescued the team with a last-minute header to secure a point and keep United’s hopes alive in the competition.
Despite growing speculation around Ten Hag’s future, Maguire remains confident in the manager’s ability to turn things around. “The belief is still there,” Maguire told TNT Sports, “We have to stick together, regroup, and overcome these mental lapses that are costing us games.” United’s defense has struggled, particularly after the substitutions of Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, which left the backline vulnerable to Porto’s attacks.
United’s inability to hold onto leads, a recurring issue under Ten Hag, has been attributed to a lack of belief and mental toughness, according to Maguire. He stressed that the team must build confidence and work on staying solid under pressure, especially after conceding.
With only two points from their opening Europa League matches, Manchester United’s next challenge is a Premier League clash against Aston Villa, where Ten Hag will be eager to prove he still has the trust of his players and supporters.
