Football has always been about more than just ninety minutes on the pitch. It’s about narratives, about moments that get remembered and replayed, and about how reputations can rise or crumble in the blink of an eye. One such story, which perfectly captures the unpredictable nature of the game, is the tale of André Onana and Harry Maguire at Manchester United.
Back in 2023, during a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund, fans saw a fiery moment that quickly went viral. Onana, newly signed from Inter Milan and eager to stamp his authority, was caught on camera furiously shouting at Maguire after a defensive lapse. It was his very first match in United colours, and the incident seemed to underline the narrative many already believed: that Maguire was error-prone, unreliable, and not good enough to lead United’s backline.
At the time, the moment was celebrated by sections of the fanbase. Here was a new goalkeeper, showing leadership, demanding standards, and not being afraid to call out even the club captain. Onana was hailed as confident, passionate, and ready to bring a new mentality. Maguire, meanwhile, continued to be mocked online, criticised in the media, and scapegoated for nearly every defensive issue. It looked like a changing of the guard — Onana the strong leader, Maguire the fading figure.
But football, as we all know, has a way of humbling people. Fast forward to 2025, and the story couldn’t be more different. The same Harry Maguire who was once ridiculed is now adored by United fans, while Onana — the man who came in as the confident saviour — is the one whose stock has collapsed. If there’s a moral here, it’s a simple one: always be humble, because you don’t know what tomorrow brings.
Maguire’s Fall and Rise
Few players in the Premier League have experienced the level of criticism that Harry Maguire has endured. Signed from Leicester City for £80 million in 2019, he arrived as the most expensive defender in the world. That price tag alone meant the spotlight on him was unforgiving. Every mistake was magnified, every poor run of form became a trending topic, and memes about him circulated endlessly on social media.
By 2022 and 2023, his United career seemed finished. He lost his starting place, he was stripped of the captaincy, and many fans wanted him sold. Pundits mocked his lack of pace, and even rival fans turned his name into a punchline. For many, he had become the face of United’s decline.
But football careers are long, and narratives can flip. In 2024 and 2025, Maguire found a new lease of life under Rúben Amorim. He simplified his game, cut out the major errors, and began to use his strengths — aerial dominance, bravery, and leadership — to re-establish himself. Suddenly, the same fans who once wanted him gone were chanting his name. Old Trafford, which once groaned when he was selected, started applauding his performances.
Maguire’s turnaround is a reminder of resilience. He didn’t fold under the abuse. He didn’t let the criticism destroy him. Instead, he waited for his moment, kept working, and when the chance came, he proved people wrong. Now, in 2025, Maguire is considered one of the most reliable players in the squad — a fan favourite who embodies perseverance.
Onana’s Rise and Fall
While Maguire was climbing back up, Onana was sliding down the hill. Signed in 2023 to replace David de Gea, Onana was supposed to be the modern keeper United needed — excellent with the ball at his feet, commanding, and full of personality. His reputation was boosted by his Champions League final appearance with Inter, where he had shown composure under pressure.
But the Premier League is a different beast. From his very first competitive matches, Onana was under fire. Mistakes crept into his game, his distribution wasn’t always as reliable as advertised, and shot-stopping — the bread and butter of any goalkeeper — was inconsistent. The aggressive shouting at teammates, once seen as leadership, started to look like arrogance when his own performances weren’t up to scratch.
Fans began to turn on him. By 2024, there were questions about whether he was the right man for United. By 2025, those questions had become shouts. The once-celebrated arrival had now become a problem, with many supporters openly wishing for a new goalkeeper.
The irony is hard to miss: the player who shouted at Maguire in his first game is now unwanted, while Maguire himself has won the crowd over.
Lessons From the Story
The contrast between Maguire and Onana says so much about football, but also about life. It’s a lesson in humility. When you’re on top, it’s easy to feel untouchable, to believe the narrative that you’re the saviour and others are failures. But tables turn. Circumstances change. The one mocked today can be celebrated tomorrow, and the one applauded can just as easily face boos.
For Maguire, the key has been patience and resilience. He took the blows, absorbed the criticism, and kept his focus. For Onana, perhaps the lesson is about balance — confidence is important, but when it tips into arrogance, and your own game isn’t secure, the fall can be swift.
The Fans’ Perspective
United fans themselves have been on a journey. Many of those who mocked Maguire now cheer for him. Many of those who celebrated Onana’s outburst now use it as a reminder of how wrong first impressions can be. Supporters are fickle, yes, but they are also capable of forgiveness when a player shows fight and consistency.
What hasn’t changed is the passion. Moments like these remind everyone that football isn’t scripted. Careers don’t follow straight lines. And at a club as big as United, the spotlight will always be intense.
Conclusion – Be Humble
When Onana shouted at Maguire in 2023, he couldn’t have known that less than two years later the roles would be reversed in the eyes of the fans. Maguire, once derided, is now respected. Onana, once praised, is now unwanted. That’s football. That’s life.
