Wing Wizard Harry Maguire Makes Case For Manchester United Defence In Europa League Final

Surprise wing wizard Harry Maguire says he hopes he can stay in his defensive comfort zone for Manchester United in the Europa League final against Tottenham on Wednesday despite his attacking cameos earlier in the competition. Ruben Amorim's men have the chance to end a disastrous season on a high in Bilbao against their Premier League rivals, who are also enduring a terrible campaign. Central defender Maguire scored the winning goal in a remarkable comeback against Lyon in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with United winning 7-6 on aggregate.

Then he dazzled on the wing to help set up the first goal in the first leg of the semi-final against Bilbao -- a tie that ended 7-1 after the two legs.

The former United captain was asked on Tuesday whether his forward forays were part of a new tactical masterplan by Amorim.

"The manager has me dribbling every day in training," he joked. "No, listen, I found myself on the wing against Bilbao and managed to put a good cross in.

"Cas (Casemiro) has scored the goal. No, someone has just asked me before that. Obviously, I've gone up front in the later minutes of the game (against Lyon).

"Tomorrow night, hopefully, I'm not going up front. I don't want to be going up front and chasing a game. I want to be defending the lead."

He added: "I'm always there to help, I'm always there to do my best but I'm more than happy playing in my favourite position."

- Hero to villain -

The England international, 32, has played regularly this season after a difficult period in which he fell out of favour under former United manager Erik ten Hag, also losing the captaincy.

But he said it was "amazing" to be playing regularly again.

"This season I have played a lot of football. I don't take too