22 November 2023 , 15:07
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Ghanaian MP Isaac Adongo has offered Harry Maguire an apology, 11 months after mocking the Manchester United defender during a parliamentary session.
Adongo, who represents the National Democratic Congress, made Maguire a figure of fun at the end of 2022. At the time, the United centre-back was helping England reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup but had been struggling at club level.
The politician addressed parliament after Ghana claimed their first World Cup win, against South Korea. He was also speaking at a time when the ruling New Patriotic Party were accused of mishandling the economy, and took the opportunity to stretch a footballing comparison to its limits.
"If you are a fan of football, and I was happy to see the jubilation when Ghana won, but there was a player in the United Kingdom, in England called Maguire who was playing for Manchester United," Adongo told the Ghana parliament.
"Harry Maguire, he's a defender. He was tackling everybody and throwing his body everywhere. He was seen as the best defender in the world, Manchester United were at the bottom.
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"He became the biggest threat at the centre of the Manchester United defence, tackling Manchester players and giving assists to opponents. Mr Speaker, when you see the opponents go to score, Maguire will score for them."
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Harry Maguire has returned to form for club and country (Nikola Krstic/REX/Shutterstock)Since Adongo's initial comments, Maguire helped Manchester United finish third in the Premier League and win the Carabao Cup. He lost the captaincy at Old Trafford over the summer, but has regained his starting spot in the team with Raphael Varane relegated to the bench.
In footage shared by Joy Sports, Adongo set the record straight. "You remember that last year I was very quick to call my big brother, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Harry Maguire," he told parliament. "Mr Speaker, I now apologise to Harry Maguire...
"Today, Maguire has turned the corner and is a transformational footballer. Maguire is now scoring goals for Manchester United. Mr Speaker, Harry Maguire is now a key player for Manchester United.”
After starting none of Manchester United's first seven Premier League games this season, Maguire has played the full 90 minutes in each of the last five. He also earned starts in both Champions League meetings with FC Copenhagen, scoring the winner at home to the Danish champions.
"I have to say Harry is playing like we want him to play," Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag said after a victory over Sheffield United in October. "Very proactive out of possession, dominating his opponent, stepping in when necessary, reading the game, good covering but also in possession very proactive, stepping in, delivering good passes, switching. I am happy with his performance."