Harry Maguire exclusive: Manchester United supporters ‘merit’ Europa League success for their loyalty to the team, even after the letdown in the Premier League.

Harry Maguire has heaped praise on the electric atmosphere generated by Manchester United’s supporters during this season’s UEFA Europa League campaign, asserting that the fans “deserve” to celebrate a trophy.

United are set to face Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, a match that will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+. This encounter sees two Premier League teams, currently positioned 16th and 17th in the league, vying for European glory.

Maguire emphasized the significant role that United’s fans have played in their journey to the final in Bilbao. “To be in the Europa League and to give our fans something to bring that energy and atmosphere.. the atmosphere in the Europa League has been something else – it’s been incredible,” he remarked in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports’ Owen Hargreaves.

The United captain acknowledged the team’s struggles this season, taking responsibility for the disappointing results under two different managers. “We know it’s not been good enough this season, we take responsibility for that as players,” he stated. “We’ve had two managers and results haven’t been good enough, and that’s got to be down to us.”

Playing in a European final for Manchester United is a monumental occasion, and Maguire believes the fans have earned the right to celebrate. “Our fans deserve it – they’ve been absolutely incredible this season. I don’t know how and why they’re sticking with us as much as they are, because we’ve disappointed them so many times. But they’ve stuck with us and they deserve something to celebrate.”

He added, “It’s going to be a great day for them, but it’ll only be a great day if we go and lift that trophy.”

Maguire is aware of the challenge that lies ahead, acknowledging that Tottenham will be equally motivated. “It’s going to be a good game, a tough game, we know that Spurs will be right up for it as well, but it’s one I’m looking forward to.”

The defender, who has experienced a resurgence in his United career and scored a dramatic winner in the Europa League quarter-final against Lyon, stressed the importance of the team’s mentality going into the final. “People can worry about finals,” he said. “When I was a young boy, you’re probably going into finals and your mentality is a bit different. You’re probably thinking, ‘I don’t want to be the one to make that mistake’, whereas now my mentality is that I want to go and perform, I want to go and play.”

Maguire believes that if every player approaches the final with the mindset of wanting to be the best on the pitch, it will make a significant difference. “If every one of your players goes onto the pitch in a final and has that mentality that they’re going to be the best player, they’re not going to be a 6 out of 10 and just get through the game and nothing gets said about them after – they’re going to go and express themselves.. that’s a big mentality we need to have going into this final.”

He concluded with a reminder of the club’s rich history: “That’s why we play for this club, this is Manchester United. When you join this club, you want to be in big finals and have the privilege to play in finals. We know there’s so much pressure and there’s going to be so much spoken about the game, but you’ve got to go and enjoy it.”