Mentality, Resilience, and Redemption: Harry Maguire Reflects On His Man United Journey Ahead of 2025 Finale

In a revealing interview ahead of Manchester United’s final match of 2025, Harry Maguire opens up about the “sink or swim” mentality required to survive at Old Trafford and his winning heroics at Anfield this season. Stream the clash between United and Wolves live tomorrow night at 22:15 on Showmax Premier League.     29 December 2025- As Manchester United prepare to walk out at Old Trafford for their final fixture of 2025 against Wolves tomorrow night, centre-back Harry Maguire has opened up about the “sink or swim” reality of life at the world’s most scrutinised club.     In a deep-dive interview, Maguire speaks candidly about his six-year journey—a path marked by heavy responsibility, tactical shifts, and a hard-earned “redemption” that has defined his current campaign.     The Final Hurdle of 2025: “We Have the Foundations” With United facing Wolves tomorrow, 30 December, at 22:15, the focus is firmly on ending the year with momentum. Maguire believes the team has found its footing after a turbulent period. “I do feel like we’ve got the foundations now to go and have a successful season, and it’s up to us to go and do it now,” Maguire says of the current squad. “Since Ruben [Amorim] came in, I’ve always thought he is an excellent manager and he just needed things to click.” “I still think there are games this season where we’ve let ourselves down a little bit; I believe we should have more points than what we’ve got at the moment. However, we’re not in a terrible position, and I see it going in a good direction—in the right direction.”     The Scrutiny of a Giant: “Sink or Swim” Reflecting on his time at the club, Maguire notes that the intensity of the Premier League is magnified tenfold at Manchester United. “You quickly realise things can turn real quickly when you’re at this club,” he admits. “You obviously know it’s a big club, but you don’t understand how big the analysis and the scrutiny is on everything you do.” “Every tackle, every misplaced pass seems to be analysed. I’ve been really good at ignoring all that, whether it’s good or bad.” “You need to handle the defeats well, but you also need to handle the victories well, because you can get pushed up really high, as if you’re one of the best players in the world, and you know what’s going to happen—they’re going to try and knock you back down.”     The Captaincy and the Hardest Days Maguire speaks with honesty about his three-year tenure as captain, particularly the dip in form during his third season following the high-profile arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, and Jadon Sancho. “The expectation was to challenge and really kick on, and it just never happened. It never clicked,” he reflects. “I was the captain, I was the face, and I faced the media after every defeat.” “It’s tough when you feel like you’re repeating yourself to six or seven cameras, and you have to be careful what you say because it’s going to get analysed.” “I felt like during that bad period, I was always trying to look after others and I maybe took my eye off myself in terms of my own performances. That’s probably where the dip came in.”     The Amorim Era and “The Anfield Moment” A major highlight of this season was Maguire’s winner at Anfield—a goal that secured his place in United folklore. “If that happened five or six years ago, I wasn’t experienced enough to realise how big the moment was,” Maguire says. “But for it to happen this season, when I’m experienced and I know how much it means… it’s a special moment.” “I scored the header, and I didn’t know where I was in the stadium—I ended up running to the [Liverpool] fans instead of our fans. For us to stay resilient and show that spirit… I don’t think I’ll ever forget that one.” On the current manager, Maguire is equally full of praise. “I think Ruben’s record should be judged on this season; this is where he’s had his time to work and he’s picking his team up.” “I want to be part of this successful club, and when I see it going in the right direction, of course I want to be part of it.”     A Message to the Future Despite the highs and lows, Maguire remains unwavering in his commitment. “I’m a lot stronger mentally now. I’ve learned an awful amount about myself. My worst time wasn’t as bad as what was in my head, and the best time wasn’t as good as what was in my head. I try to remain focused and look forward.”

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Iyabo Ojo Hits Back at Allwell Ademola’s Brother Over Criticism of Support

Actress Iyabo Ojo has responded to criticism from Allwell Ademola’s brother over the support she and other colleagues reportedly gave the late actress during her lifetime. The brother had accused Iyabo Ojo and other celebrities of failing to support Allwell Ademola’s work and career, despite claiming to be friends. In a video, he said: “All the ‘Rest in Peace’ messages and public displays of love are fake and hypocritical. Where was this love when she was alive? When she produced Eniobanke, none of you promoted it. You all claimed friendship, yet you never supported her work or career, even though she supported many of you. During the Jagun Jagun production, no one called her or offered her a role. “Some of you, like Lateef Adedimeji, Owonikoko, Iyabo Ojo, and others, came to our house to shoot movies, yet you never found it worthy to stand by her. If you couldn’t support her while she was alive, don’t perform loyalty now that she is gone.” In reply, Iyabo Ojo defended her actions, saying, “I over-supported your sister when she was alive, when she was building her career as a producer and director. I featured in her movies countless times for free and I also supported her financially and emotionally.” She concluded by wishing the late actress peace, adding, “May her beautiful soul continue to rest in perfect peace.”

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BREAKING: Anthony Joshua Involved in Road Crash on Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Two Dead

World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan expressway at Makun, Ogun State, on Monday, according to sources. Eyewitnesses and first responders reported that the vehicle carrying Joshua collided with another car under circumstances that remain unclear. Two people were confirmed dead at the scene, while Joshua sustained minor injuries and was quickly attended to by rescue teams. A witness who helped with the evacuation said emergency personnel acted swiftly to remove the injured from the wreckage. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released. The crash site has been cordoned off by traffic officials and local police as investigations continue. Officers from the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency were present to manage the scene. Social media quickly filled with messages from fans expressing concern for Joshua and condolences for the families of those killed. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

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Wike Attributes Rift With Makinde To Denied Ministerial Appointment

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that tensions with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde began after Makinde was denied a ministerial appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Wike shared the details during a media briefing on Monday, providing insights into the underlying political issues within the G5 group, a coalition of former and serving governors who collaborated during the 2023 elections. According to Wike, the disagreement emerged when Makinde’s nominee was not given a ministerial slot, despite prior expectations within the group. “What we are dealing with today is that he was not given any ministerial slot,” Wike said. “Even when he was expressing it, his anger was visible. He didn’t need to tell anyone; we could see it. We told him, ‘calm down.’” Wike added that efforts were made to explain the circumstances behind the appointments, including visits to President Tinubu, in an attempt to pacify Makinde. “We went back home and explained why we met the President. We told him to take it easy, noting that there were certain factors he may not have considered. But something had to be done,” he said. Despite these efforts, Wike said Makinde appeared to have “already made up his mind,” making reconciliation difficult. Wike also recalled an earlier incident that, in his view, reflected Makinde’s temperament. “I remember when the Rivers State Government held a reception for me. Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom spoke and said they were going to support the President for a second term,” Wike said. “But the next day, Seyi Makinde responded, questioning Ortom’s statement. I called him and said that even if Ortom spoke, he didn’t need to go that far. A simple response could have been, ‘Let’s call a day; it’s too early for that kind of statement.’” Wike compared Makinde’s reactions to someone who achieves success too quickly and lacks patience. “Sometimes when you make your first one million dollars, you react too early. You forget that Dangote didn’t make his first million overnight, but today he is the richest man in Africa,” he noted.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Clinches Best Middle East Player 2025 At Globe Soccer Awards For Third Straight Year

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the Best Middle East Player 2025 at the Globe Soccer Awards gala in Dubai on December 28, 2025, marking his third consecutive win in the category since joining Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr. The event drew a star-studded audience of footballers, club executives, and global sports personalities. The award, part of a Globe Soccer segment recognizing players in Middle Eastern leagues, highlights Ronaldo’s status as the benchmark for excellence in the region. By winning it three years in a row, he has set an early standard for future stars in Middle Eastern football. Gala Night in Dubai Held at a luxurious venue in Dubai and broadcast globally, the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards brought together leading names from football and other sports. The evening also celebrated tennis icon Novak Djokovic, who received a Globe Sports Award for cross-sport excellence. Several European footballers and clubs were honoured in various categories, reflecting the event’s growing role in spotlighting Middle Eastern football alongside international competitions. Ronaldo’s Response: “I Still Motivate Myself to Carry On” In his acceptance speech, Ronaldo stressed that his hunger for goals and trophies remains undiminished despite his age and career longevity. “I still motivate myself to carry on, it doesn’t matter where I play, to score goals and keep going,” he said, highlighting the drive that has defined his career across Portugal, England, Spain, Italy, and now Saudi Arabia. He also reiterated his ambition to reach the milestone of 1,000 career goals. “I want to win more trophies and reach a number, and I will reach that number,” Ronaldo stated, making it clear that he has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

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Wike Declares Backing Tinubu Won’t Guarantee Fubara 2027 Governorship Ticket

Former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not automatically secure Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara a ticket for the 2027 governorship election. Wike made the statement over the weekend during a visit to Emohua Local Government Area, in what is widely seen as a new escalation in his ongoing political feud with Fubara. The two leaders have been at odds for years over control of Rivers State politics, a conflict that previously led to the burning of the State House of Assembly complex and prompted President Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the state. The crisis also resulted in the defection of 27 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers loyal to Wike to the All Progressives Congress (APC), triggering multiple court battles. Additionally, several caretaker committee chairmen aligned with Fubara defected to the Action People’s Party (APP) ahead of local government elections and went on to win their seats. During the height of the standoff, President Tinubu reportedly brokered a peace agreement between Wike and Fubara, with sources claiming that one condition of the settlement was that Fubara would not contest the 2027 governorship election. Following the end of the state of emergency in September and the reinstatement of the deputy governor and lawmakers, political observers expected calm to return. Earlier this month, Fubara officially defected from the PDP to the APC after meeting President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He later announced his defection at a Government House event in Port Harcourt, pledging his support for the President, days after some state assembly members had also joined the APC. Responding to Fubara’s defection, Wike downplayed the significance of such support, stressing that aligning with Tinubu does not guarantee electoral success. “The issue is not whether you support Tinubu or not. That decision was taken long ago. Nobody needs to come here to tell me they are for Tinubu. Supporting Tinubu will not earn anyone a ticket,” Wike said. He added, “The Rivers State House of Assembly has done its job. They were the first in Nigeria to declare that, on your mandate, they would stand. So the Tinubu issue is no longer an issue. Who in Rivers State is not for Tinubu? That alone cannot guarantee anyone a ticket. “The same people who recently made public declarations are the same ones who took the Assembly to court seeking to have their seats declared vacant. All those now chanting ‘on your mandate we stand’ failed when it mattered most. They could not vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “We have never wavered in our support for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. When we take decisions, we do so out of conviction, not because of what others are doing.”

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Tiwa Savage Breaks Down In Tears During Live Performance At WeLovEya Festival

A video showing Tiwa Savage breaking down in tears during a live performance has been making rounds online. The singer became visibly emotional while performing her hit song Somebody’s Son at the WeLovEya Festival in Cotonou, Benin Republic, struggling to continue as tears streamed down her face. The festival featured some of Africa’s biggest music stars, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido. Despite the emotional moment, fans in attendance cheered her on, encouraging her to push through and finish the performance. Tiwa Savage has previously been candid about her personal struggles with love and relationships. She divorced her ex-husband, Tunji ‘TeeBillz’ Balogun, in 2018 and has often discussed the challenges of balancing her thriving music career with her personal life. The emotions took over 🥹 Tiwa Savage got emotional while performing “Somebody’s Son” last night at #WeLoveYaFestival in Cotonou 🇧🇯 pic.twitter.com/Kn990DXXKm — 𝗧𝗶𝘄𝗮 Savage World⚔️ (@savagesourcee) December 28, 2025

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Wunmi Aloba Denies Rumours Of Giving Birth, Shares Video To Prove She’s Not Pregnant

Wunmi Aloba, the widow of late Nigerian singer Mohbad, has spoken out to dismiss rumours claiming she recently gave birth. Taking to Snapchat, she addressed the speculation, writing: “Eyin ma tun funny yato lori Twitter ke Mohbad wife born ke, this smear campaign is funny asf. I’ve been getting this message for about an hour ago, funny asf a ma ni resu keh.” To prove the claims false, Wunmi also shared a video of herself flexing, showing clearly that she is not pregnant. The rumours had circulated widely on social media, with some users suggesting she had welcomed another child. Her clarification and video have now put the speculation to rest, confirming that she is not expecting. This comes amid continued public attention to her life following Mohbad’s death, including matters concerning his estate and her role as the mother of their son, Master Liam Aloba.

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