Harry Maguire hits back with perfect response as second Man Utd icon proved wrong

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Harry Maguire's match-winning goal for Manchester United against Liverpool arrived just days after Paul Scholes claimed he lacked the athleticism for top-flight football. The 32-year-old defender soared above the Reds' defence to meet Bruno Fernandes ' cross and guide his header beyond Giorgi Mamardashvili into the far corner.

His crucial goal sealed a stunning 2-1 triumph at Anfield - United's first success on Merseyside's red half since 2016. The moment proved particularly sweet for Maguire, who had squandered a glorious chance to down Liverpool at Anfield in January , when he blazed over with the goal gaping.

United's players swarmed around their defender, who was labelled as United's 'weak link' by United icon Roy Keane , in celebration of what ranks among Ruben Amorim's most significant victories . Yet Maguire's heroics also served to silence Scholes' and Keane's harsh assessments.

Before United's journey to Anfield, the Old Trafford icon had suggested Maguire, alongside Luke Shaw and Casemiro, no longer possessed the physical attributes required at the highest level. Speaking on 'The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast' , Scholes said: "Shaw, Maguire, Casemiro, they've all been great players but they're at a stage of their career now where you get found out in the Premier League if you're not physically good enough.

"Their bodies are not athletic enough, they're not strong enough, they're not quick enough. They've dropped to a level where they can't cope with what's needed in the Premier League.

"Every player in the Premier League is an absolute machine. They've got five per cent body fat, they can run, they're strong, they can head it. Manchester United are carrying two or three players that are just not capable of living with it."

Despite this, Amorim evidently disagrees, as Shaw, Casemiro and Maguire all started against Arne Slot's team. Of the trio, only Maguire played the full match, with Casemiro being replaced by Manuel Ugarte and Shaw substituted for Leny Yoro.

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Maguire's 90-minute stint, solid defensive performance and winning goal - a powerful header into the far corner - would have been particularly gratifying given Scholes' critique. However, in his post-match interview, the former Leicester City defender refrained from hitting back at any detractors.

Instead, he simply savoured the victory. Speaking to Sky Sports , he said: "Yeah, it means everything. They have had the better of us over the last few years and it has not been good enough for our club and we don't give our fans enough days like today.

"It has been a long time coming, coming to this ground and picking up three points. It is the old cliché that it is only three points but it is definitely not, it means a lot more than that to the boys, the club, the fans.

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"I have been here for seven years now and coming to this ground every time and not get three points has been tough. It is for the fans and I hope they have a great night tonight because, of course it is only three points on the table, but to come here and get it over Liverpool , as they have been a top team over the years and they have been a lot better than us in recent years, it is good to get one over them.

" Football is all about memories and creating special memories and I am sure all the fans will have a memory that they will never forget. We will all go home happy.

"We won't get carried away because we know this club is not in a position to get carried away. We need to use this as motivation to reach levels that they have reached in recent years because that is where this club should be at."

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