Maguire: A Big Game

- Harry Maguire has labelled Friday’s Emirates FA Cup clash with Sheffield United as a ‘big game’
- The Foxes take on Maguire’s former side in the fifth round at King Power Stadium (7:45pm kick-off)
- The England international joined the Blades at 11 before departing for Hull in 2014

The centre back will no doubt be hoping to line-up against his former side when the Blades visit King Power Stadium in the fifth round.

Targeting progression to the quarter-finals, Maguire says winning the prestigious competition would be a ‘dream’ achievement, but he knows there’s still plenty of hard work to come.

“Obviously, it’s a big game for myself to come up against a team that I’ve played for,” said Maguire. “I keep in touch with a lot of the players and know a lot of the players and staff so it’s a game that I wanted when the draw came along.

“Frankly, it was Hull or Sheffield United, they were both in the hat. To draw Sheffield United at home is a big game. It’s a big game for the team in a great cup that we want to go far in.

“It’s one of the biggest English competitions. When you’re growing up and watching football, you always dream of lifting that trophy and it’s a big competition.

“People play it down sometimes but in my eyes it’s a competition that I definitely want to win in my career. Hopefully, we can go on a cup run and we’ll see where it takes us this year.”

Having spent the best part of a decade at Bramall Lane, Maguire says he owes a great deal to Sheffield United.

Discussing the early stages of his career, he said: “When I was a young boy, my dad supported Sheffield Wednesday and my mum supported Sheffield United.

“When I was around 10 years-old, my dad used to take me to a couple of games but ever since I played for Sheffield United, I’ve played for them ever since I was 11 years-old.

“I was a ball boy week in, week out Bramall Lane from when I was 14 until 16 or 17. Then, I broke in and made my debut.

“I definitely follow Sheffield United now. It’s a great club and I thank them a lot because they’ve done so much for my career.”