Harry Maguire Surprised By Manchester United Supporters Amid Poor Performance

JAKARTA - Harry Maguire has admitted that he is surprised that Manchester United supporters continue to show their support during the bad Premier League season. He has promised that the team will improve next season.

Ruben Amorim's team had the opportunity to win trophies and qualify for the Champions League as they face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on Thursday, May 22, 2025, early morning WIB.

Thousands of supporters will travel to Bilbao for the final of Manchester United's ninth European tournament.

The fans mostly remained in support of the team despite their worst domestic season since relegation to second division in 1974 which included 18 league defeats.

"The fans are really amazing this season. It's really shocking for us players how much they support us."

"We've let them down too much. We gave them some good moments in the Europa League and some great memories of winning derbys at the Etihad as well as other things, but that even surprised me."

"It was amazing when we played in front of them even though we didn't perform optimally."

"That's why I think they deserved it. We had a great chance to win in the final and give them that chance."

"It would only be a good day if we got up and won the tournament," Maguire said.

Manchester United will definitely have their worst finish in the Premier League and could end up in 17th place, only one place above the relegation zone.

Amoram has only won six league games since his appointment in mid-November 2024.

The latest defeat at Chelsea headquarters means they have recorded a record eight Premier League games without a win.

However, Maguire insists that the league's performance has declined in an effort to achieve glory in the Europa League. He believes Manchester United's domestic results will be much better next season.

"We know this season is not good at all. I don't think there's any doubt that this season has been very difficult."

"Over the past few months, without saying much, we have focused on the Europa League in terms of the core line-up."

"It's frustrating. It shouldn't be like that. Two months ago, we were supposed to be in a better position, namely fighting for the positions of the Europa League and Champions League. That's what this club demands."

"We know this season is not good enough for this club at all and for our standards. Next season, I know we will improve," Maguire said.

Maguire hopes to forget his heartache when he appoints him to play Spurs at the Estadio de San Mames.

The England defender missed losing the 2021 Europa League final to Villarreal and won last season's FA Cup final over Manchester City due to injury.

He was also only on the list of reserve players for the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup final in 2023 when he was not on the team under Erik ten Hag's tutelage.

"The loss of the match against Villarreal was a very tough thing for me. At that time I was the captain of the club and an important part of the team."

"Maybe the results would be different if I were in the team. That's how I feel."

"I was also absent last year. I play every week under Erik and miss the domestic trophy final. So, it hurts," he said.

Maguire almost joined West Ham in 2023 - the same summer he was stripped of the position of captain of Manchester United by Ten Hag.

However, in the last two years he has struggled again to become a regular player and played his part in bringing Manchester United to the Europa League final with a dramatic win in the extra round against Lyon in the quarter-finals.

"I thought maybe it was a period of six to 12 months where my performance was not as good as the previous two years which was really good."

"I think people are still talking a lot about my return and things like that, but it's been two years since I've appeared at a high level."

"Last season, every game I played, I almost always played even under Erik and it was a big blow when I missed the domestic trophy final and Europa League for him."

"It's been a few years now. I feel in a good position. I feel very comfortable at this club and the surrounding environment and the pressure on it."

"This is an amazing club. I am very lucky and proud to be a part of it," Maguire said.