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Harry Maguire overcame illness to start for Manchester United in their FA Cup third round win at Arsenal.
Maguire did not train for two days last week as he was bed-ridden with flu and he had to cancel a scheduled pre-match interview at United’s Carrington training complex on Friday.
However, the 31-year-old declared himself available for selection and travelled with the United squad to London on Saturday night. Maguire played 104 minutes in the tie at the Emirates Stadium, which was decided by a penalty shootout.
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Maguire received a standing ovation from the 7,956 United supporters when he was replaced by Leny Yoro towards the end of the first half of extra time.
United played an hour with ten men against Arsenal after Diogo Dalot was sent off for a second booking. They ended the match with midfielder Toby Collyer on the right wing and centre back Lisandro Martinez up front before prevailing 5-3 in a penalty shootout.
Centre back Maguire has excelled in United’s impressive results against Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal over the past month, having returned from a muscular injury at the start of December.
The England international is enjoying a remarkable revival after United accepted a £30million bid from West Ham United for Maguire in August 2023.
United recently triggered the one-year extension in Maguire’s contract to tie him to the club until 2026. Head coach Ruben Amorim has billed Maguire as “perfect for a back three” and he has started in United’s last five games.
Maguire was stripped of the United captaincy by former manager Erik ten Hag 18 months ago but the armband was passed to him during the home games with Everton and Newcastle last month.