MUMBAI: From being booed off the pitch after a 1-0 friendly defeat to a Southeast Asian XI in Malaysia, Harry Maguire, Andre Onana and Diogo Dalot arrived to a much warmer embrace by Manchester United supporters in the city on Thursday.
After a forgettable season which culminated in last week’s defeat in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, the Red Devils trio looked a lot more relaxed engaging with young footballers at Cooperage Stadium at the launch of the fifth edition of United We Play, an Apollo Tyres initiative. “It’s nice and refreshing to come over here,” Maguire told TOI. “It’s been amazing to see the different culture and to meet a lot of people and to spend the afternoon playing with children and just seeing how happy they are and putting smiles on their faces.”
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!For Dalot, coming to India was a box he had always been wanting to tick. “It was on my checklists to come to India, so I’m happy that I’ve been able to come here, also with the club,” said the Portuguese full back, aware of his country’s old link with India. “Historically, Portugal have good connections with India. I would love to go to Goa one day.
Who's that IPL player?"Since I moved to Man United, I am aware the amount of supporters we have here is growing. So for me, it was one of the reasons why I volunteered to come here, because I knew that as soon as I leave this place, (visiting India) will be something that I would be very happy to have done."
Like Maguire and Dalot, Onana also wore a broad smile as he took part in a few drills with the youngsters on Thursday, a pleasant change, no doubt, for the Cameroon international who has often drawn the ire of United fans for his performances in goal since his $56m move to Old Trafford from Inter Milan two summers ago.
Asked if the pressure of being David de Gea’s successor had been weighing on him, the 29-year-old dismissed the notion. “Pressure? I don't feel pressure. First of all, thank you for putting my name next to a legend who has done a lot of things for the club, amazing things. It’s not pressure, it’s an extra motivation," Onana said.
Still close to many of his former teammates at Inter, Onana didn't shy away from revealing he would be cheering on his old team in Saturday’s Uefa Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Munich.
“I hope they win,” he said of Simone Inzaghi’s side. “Obviously they play against a very good team. Of course I’m in touch with them, they are my guys. For me it’s good always to talk with them. I wish them all the best, and hopefully Inter win. Forza Inter!"
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