Manchester United: Harry Maguire and Andre Onana Rise to the Occasion in the Champions League

In every one of their Champions League matches this season, Manchester United has found themselves handing over a penalty.

When quizzed about underperforming players, United’s manager Erik ten Hag consistently falls back on a straightforward mantra, particularly fitting for a stage as prestigious as Old Trafford: “They’ve got to elevate their game.”

Well, in a Champions League face-off against Copenhagen, where United paid tribute to one of their legendary athletes and Ten Hag declared “winning is non-negotiable,” two players who’ve recently been in the crosshairs did precisely that.

Harry Maguire and Andre Onana have been under the microscope lately. Maguire lost his captain’s armband this summer, and with West Ham United’s accepted bid on him, many were puzzled when he chose to stay. Especially since he found himself demoted to a fifth-choice central defender, oddly enough, falling behind left-back Luke Shaw.

Maguire’s shaky first-half performance did little to fan the flames of a potential resurgence for the Englishman.

Onana’s Dramatic Penalty Save Clinches Victory for Man Utd
Highlights from United’s 1-0 triumph over Copenhagen

Nor was it clear why Ten Hag shelled out £47 million to bring Onana over from Inter Milan. The Cameroonian goalie is touted for his distribution skills, but these were noticeably missing against Copenhagen, as evidenced by his two wayward diagonal passes in the first half.

However, with less than 20 minutes left on the clock, Maguire catapulted himself onto Christian Eriksen’s masterful far-post cross. Then, in the dying moments of the match, Onana brilliantly deflected Jordan Larsson’s penalty, securing United’s inaugural European win this season and keeping their Champions League knockout stage dreams alive.

Onana’s Resilient Streak

Though Onana hasn’t lacked in self-assurance, he’s had moments in his fledgling United tenure where he’s owned up to mistakes that either led to goals or put his team in hot water. His clearing attempts against Copenhagen were below par, but as Ten Hag was quick to highlight, Onana pulled off a stunning save against Lukas Lerager, setting the stage for his late-game penalty heroics.

“He’s shown grit,” Ten Hag commented. “His past performances haven’t lived up to his skill set, but he’s stepping up his game. Remember, this guy is a penalty-stopping machine.”

What’s Sparking Maguire’s Turnaround?

Last season, Ten Hag lamented that Maguire was failing to transfer his England form over to the United squad. But things are starting to look up. He bagged the Man of the Match award against Sheffield United over the weekend and even scored his first goal since February 2022.

Now back on the left side of the central defense—where he was prior to Ten Hag’s arrival—the manager has noticed a marked improvement. “He’s initiating more, pushing the ball forward, and stepping up his defensive game,” said Ten Hag. “He’s winning his battles, and it’s paying off. That header? It was not just good aim but also a brilliant set-up by Christian Eriksen.”

Now, for the real geeks out there—no, I’m not talking about the kind who know every Star Trek episode by heart—I’m talking about you football nerds. Keep your eyes on this evolving Manchester United saga; it promises to be as thrilling as any summer blockbuster, but with way more sweat and grass stains.

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More about Manchester United Champions League Turnaround

• Manchester United Official Website
• Champions League Official Website
• BBC Sport Football
• Erik ten Hag Profile
• Harry Maguire Profile
• Andre Onana Profile
• Sheffield United Official Website
• [Christian Eriksen Profile](https://www.inter.it/en/team/players-stats