Harry Maguire’s reaction to tearful Fulham star sums up Man Utd and England defender

The England centre half made a point of consoling Rodrigo Muniz after the injured Fulham forward cried when being substituted during Premier League game at Craven Cottage

Harry Maguire of Manchester United in action with Rodrigo Muniz of Fulham. (

Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire rushed to console Rodrigo Muniz when the Fulham forward departed in tears because of injury during the second half at Craven Cottage.

England centre half Maguire put his left arm around the inconsolable Brazilian and gave him a pat on the chest as he hobbled off with the assistance of the home side’s medical staff.

The pair had collided entering the final 20 minutes of the match, which was still scoreless at the time, but Muniz came off worse. He received some attention on the pitch before being replaced by Carlos Vinicius.

United, slow and lacking creativity for most of the game, went on to win the game as captain Bruno Fernandes scored from the edge of the area in the 91st minute. Maguire was a rare bright spot – he won the most aerial duels of anyone on the pitch and also made the most clearances in the game.

Muniz had earned a starting spot after impressing during the midweek EFL Cup win away to Ipswich Town.

After that game the Cottagers’ head coach Marco Silva praised the Brazilian, who spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, and hinted he would have been involved more were it not for an injury picked up during pre-season.

“He is always a candidate and he had a very good pre-season,” Silva said.

“Unfortunately in the moment he was showing his quality, showing how he was growing, even if last season was tough for him, he had a muscle injury and it stopped his development a little in the pre-season.

“He came back and had a very good game against Tottenham in the first Carabao Cup match we have and he is taking his chances. So, he is always a candidate like the others, like Raul [Jimenez] and Carlos Vinicius.

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“They are fighting for the position, we don’t have a number one, two or three. It is for me to decide for each game regarding the strategy and what I want from the game. It is up to them to show the quality they have and to show they are able to play. Rodrigo did really well. Let’s see what is going to be my decision for the next match.”

While United flattered to deceive for much of the afternoon in West London, the three points will ease the pressure slightly on Erik ten Hag following another torrid week in which they were thrashed at home by Man City, in the league, and Newcastle, in the EFL Cup.

United will now turn their attention to Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Copenhagen, knowing that another victory is a must if they are to reach the knockout stages. Fulham, meanwhile, have eight days off before travelling to Aston Villa on November 12.

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