Harry Maguire: “I can’t believe it”

Harry Maguire ‘couldn’t believe’ the referee’s decision to give FC Copenhagen a penalty against Manchester United on Tuesday night.

Maguire broke the deadlock in the Champions League group game with 20 minutes remaining and his goal looked enough for the victory until Scott McTominay conceded a penalty in added time due to a high boot.

With just seconds of the game left, Italian referee Marco Guida pointed to the spot, but Jordan Larsson’s shot was dramatically saved by Andre Onana and wild celebrations followed at Old Trafford.

Although the penalty save has given Onana the opportunity to kickstart his career in a red shirt, Maguire spoke to MUTV after the final whistle and he expressed his disbelief at the ‘soft’ penalty awarded by the referee.

Harry Maguire scored the winning goal of the match

“Honestly, I couldn’t believe it when he gave a penalty,” Maguire said. “We looked so comfortable in the second half and the first half was nowhere near good enough, which we spoke about at half-time.

“The second half was better, we played at a tempo, with intensity and we should have scored three, four or five goals in that second half with the attacks we created and the talent we have at that side of the pitch.

“When you don’t score that goal, they can have one chance and it was an incredibly soft penalty to give away. I don’t actually think he touched him in the end, but big save, big moment, big goalkeeper and he [Onana] deserves that.”

Onana saved the penalty shot in the final seconds of the match

Maguire also reflected on the touching pre-match tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton and said: “I thought it was an amazing tribute and rightly so. He deserves it, his family deserve it. It’s been a really sad few days for everyone involved with this club and I’m really happy and proud of how the club has dealt with it.

“The fans tonight, great respect shown and the tribute was amazing. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones – we’ll remember him.”