Harry Maguire determined to create more ‘memories’ with Europa League glory

Harry Maguire has created some special memories over the past fortnight and is targeting more after Manchester United moved within touching distance of the Europa League final at the end of a season he admits was a “mess” in the middle.

After the makeshift striker headed home to secure a jaw-dropping 5-4 extra-time quarter-final win against Lyon, the 32-year-old centre-back produced a momentum-changing moment of magic on the wing on Thursday at Athletic Bilbao.

Maguire’s neat footwork, composure and fine cross led to Casemiro’s opener in the semi-final first leg at a stunned San Mames, where the hosts imploded as Dani Vivian saw red for bringing down Rasmus Hojlund in the box.

Bruno Fernandes scored from the resulting spot-kick and added another before the break to complete a 3-0 win that puts them on course to return to Bilbao for the May 21st finale against Bodo/Glimt or, more likely, Tottenham.

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Europa League glory would not only secure silverware but much-needed Champions League qualification for a side sat 14th in the Premier League having started slowly with Erik ten Hag and stumbled under successor Ruben Amorim.

“It wouldn’t save the season because I think it’s been disappointing,” Maguire said, echoing the United head coach’s comments on the eve of the first leg. “There’s been too many games that we’ve lost, far too inconsistent.

“It’s been a bit of a mess in the middle of the season. The transition period, we didn’t handle it well enough. Us players didn’t take the responsibility well enough from moving manager to manager and we took too long in embedding into new ideas.

“It’s been a difficult season, it’s been a disappointing season but of course football