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Harry Maguire says losing a Manchester Derby is as painful as losing to Liverpool.
Harry Maguire. (Agencies)
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has described the pain of losing a Manchester Derby as comparable to suffering defeat against Liverpool, ahead of the latest meeting between United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13.
Maguire reflects on some of his most memorable experiences in the fixture, including his first Manchester Derby in 2019, when he captained United.
“Captaining and leading the boys out for my first Manchester derby in 2019 and getting the win away from home is a special feeling because we knew what it meant for the fans. At that moment and at that time, I think Man City were probably the team to beat, so to go there and do it over your rivals was a big win,” he said on JioStar.
Maguire said defeats in the derby are particularly difficult when they come at Old Trafford in front of United’s supporters.
“It’s right up there with losing against Liverpool, both big rivalries. It’s disappointing to lose any game of football, but when you lose at home, especially at Old Trafford in front of your fans to your rivals, it hurts for a while. You just want the next game to come and get the win and get back on track,” he said.
The defender also looked back on the dramatic 2024 Manchester Derby, when United came from behind before Amad Diallo scored a late winner.
“To be 1-0 down and then to turn it around, and have Amad score that late winner, it was a great feeling for us during the game but also after the game as well with our fans. That’s football, I think that’s why it’s so exciting that you can score or turn a game on its head in moments. There’s no better way than winning in the last minute.”
Maguire recalled another notable derby moment, when he played the full match in Michael Carrick’s first game despite the medical team’s recommendation that he play no more than 60 minutes.
“I had been out injured for quite a while, and as the game approached, there was a lot of debate about whether I should start or not. The medical team recommended that I play a maximum of 60 minutes. But once I got on the pitch, I didn’t want to come off. As the game went on, I ended up playing the full match. The adrenaline and the desire to help the team took over. I just couldn’t see myself walking off when the team needed me out there.”
With Manchester City having dominated English football over the last nine years, Maguire acknowledged the challenge facing United but insisted his side can compete with their neighbours.
“We know they’re a top team and have dominated English football over the last nine years now. But we know that we’ve got a great squad, great depth, that we can compete with anybody.”
The spotlight now falls on Old Trafford as the two Manchester rivals meet again, with Maguire underlining the significance of a fixture that remains one of the biggest occasions in the English football calendar.
Catch the ‘Manchester Derby’ between Manchester United and Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, September 13, 9 PM onwards, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports
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Ask News18Harry Maguire has described the pain of losing a Manchester Derby as comparable to suffering a defeat against Liverpool, noting that both are big rivalries. He explained that losing a derby at home at Old Trafford in front of United’s supporters is particularly disappointing and hurts for a while.
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September 13, 2026, 2:25 PM IST
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