Man Utd boost as Maguire attends Alex Ferguson documentary premiere next to boss Solskjaer without protective boot

Posted Friday, May 21, 2021 by Thesun.co.uk

IT'S one small step for a Manchester United team leaking goals - and one giant leap for a manager hoping to win his first trophy in charge.

Skipper Harry Maguire ditched his protective boot as he stood with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the red carpet for the world premiere of a movie documentary about legendary United chief Sir Alex Ferguson.

Harry Maguire hopes to be fit to face Villarreal in the Europa League final and is out of his special boot, but still wore trainersCredit: Rex

Alex Ferguson is the middle man at the premiere, amid Man Utd players, from left, Scott McTominay, Brandon Williams, Harry Maguire and Phil JonesCredit: Reuters

England centre-back Maguire is "excited" United face Villarreal in next Wednesday's Europa League final as he recovers from hurting his ankle ligaments against Aston Villa on May 9.

And he beamed as he appeared next to Fergie, Solskjaer and club team-mates as Old Trafford hosted the first showing of 'Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In'.

Maguire, though, wore soft trainers with his smart jacket and open shirt, whereas his colleagues were in firmer, more formal footwear.

But whether or not he makes the showpiece game in Poland next week, Maguire will know his frustration pales into insignificance next to Fergie's torment, as shown in the documentary.

The movie, directed by Ferguson's son Jason reveals the Scot wrote "goodbye letters" to his family after a brain haemorrhage in 2018.

Fergie was given just a 20% chance of survival and lost his speech for a while.

He said: "That was the most frightening part. I knew I was alive but, on my own, I started thinking, 'I wonder if they're telling me the truth?'

"The operation was a success but you're in that loneliness. It can be frightening.

"When I lost my voice I thought: 'They never told me this [might happen].'

"But the speech therapist came in every day and she was phenomenal."

Meanwhile, Maguire told the United programme earlier this week he is focusing on making next Wednesday.

He said: "I've got to be positive. I've got to look forward and make sure when I'm ready to come back that I'm fully fit, raring to go and can pick up where I left off.

"It's such an exciting game to be involved in,. I'm sure everyone is dreaming of winning that final or scoring the winner."