Maguire Answers Critics with a Deserved Reward After United’s Anfield Triumph
22 October 2025
Key moments and the award
The Premier League announced that English international Harry Maguire, Manchester United defender, won the Player of the Week award for Week 8 after his heroics in United’s historic victory at Anfield.
He beat a strong field, finishing with 42% of fan votes, ahead of Erling Haaland (14%), Bukayo Saka (11%), and others, signaling a notable turnaround in Maguire’s form in recent months.
Not merely a bystander, Maguire scored the late winner in the 84th minute to seal a 2-1 win for United, crowning a match in which he had already shown leadership at the back and resolve on the front line.
The goal came just a few minutes after Cody Gakpo had equalized for Liverpool, igniting celebrations among United supporters and underscoring Maguire’s continued importance to the team.
Official response
Manchester United’s former midfielder and current Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick said: “This win will be remembered for years; scoring the winner at Anfield is something fans won’t forget. Maguire deserves all the praise; he has faced tough times, but he kept fighting and produced the decisive moment.” Carrick added that Maguire’s resilience turned pain into motivation and that his leadership now serves as a symbol for the club again.
Past the noise
Beyond the celebration, Maguire’s performance included significant concrete numbers: the team had never lost in the league when leading at half-time at Anfield, and Maguire’s defensive influence was evident with eight key clearances, five aerial duels won, four ball recoveries, and a crucial intervention that preceded his late goal.
The final word
In the end, not even the most optimistic observers might have predicted Maguire’s quick return to the spotlight, but the winner at Anfield became a banner representing a major shift in his career. From a controversial figure to a captain who rescues United on the toughest stages, Maguire demonstrated that determination can rewrite history, and that resilience is the Reds’ best weapon when headlines demand excuses.
And to close with a touch of levity: Punchline 1 — If confidence were a goalkeeper, Maguire would be paid to save it. Punchline 2 — They say defense wins titles; Maguire just showed the scoring of a late winner can also win headlines.
