As Harry Maguire continues to celebrate his winning goal against Liverpool, the Manchester United defender also proved Red Devils legend Paul Scholes wrong
Paul Scholes speaking in a podcast
Paul Scholes has been highly critical of Manchester United this season(Image: YouTube/The Good, the Bad and the Football podcast)
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Harry Maguire's winning goal for Manchester United against Liverpool came a few days after Paul Scholes said he was "not athletic enough." Maguire, 32, rose above the Merseysiders' backline and directed Bruno Fernandes' lofted volley back across Giorgi Mamardashvili and into the far corner.
His header secured a shock 2-1 victory at Anfield, United's first victory on the red side of Merseyside since 2016. It was a huge moment for Maguire, who missed a golden opportunity to beat Liverpool at Anfield last season, lifting an effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Maguire was mobbed by his team-mates who may still be celebrating what is arguably Ruben Amorim's biggest victory since he was appointed by United. However, Maguire also proved Scholes' criticism wrong.
In the build-up to United's trip to Anfield, Scholes said Maguire, Luke Shaw and Casemiro are no longer physically up for the task and below Premier League level. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, the United legend 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."
However, Amorim clearly doesn't see it that way, with Shaw, Casemiro and Maguire all starting against Arne Slot's side. Maguire was the only one out of the trio to play the full 90 minutes, with Casemiro making way for Manuel Ugarte and Shaw coming off for Leny Yoro.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Maguire needed all of his athleticism to head in the winner
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The fact Maguire lasted 90 minutes, put in a solid defensive display and scored a winning goal requiring him to leap up high and head into the far corner would have been extra satisfying, given the nature of Scholes' criticism. In his post match interview, the ex-Leicester City defender did not want to take aim at any critics.
Instead, he just enjoyed the moment. He told Sky Sports: "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.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-2 during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, United Kingdom
Harry Maguire has scored many goals for United, but few have been bigger than his header at Anfield
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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."