Maguire accepts apology from Ghanian politician who used him to mock a rival

Harry Maguire has accepted an apology from a Ghanian politician who referenced the defender in a speech to discredit a political rival last year, after he hailed the Manchester United defender's transformation this season.

Isaac Adongo grabbed headlines last year for coining the phrase 'economic Maguire' in a speech to criticise policies of a rival.

The speech in his country's national assembly included him saying Ghana's vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia enjoyed scoring - political - own goals in much the same manner as the Manchester United defender.

Adongo opted to reference Maguire again 12 months on, with the MP highlighting the England star's transformation while again taking aim at his political rival.

'If you remember last year I was very quick to compare [vice-president] Mahamudu Bawumia to Harry Maguire,' he said. 'Mr Speaker I now apologise Harry Maguire.'

'Mr Chairman, you got very angry when I used your defender as an example. Today Maguire has turned the corner, he's a transformational footballer. Harry Maguire is now scoring goals for Manchester United.

'Mr Speaker Harry Maguire is now a key player for Manchester United, as for our Maguire, he is currently navigating the corridors of the IMF with a cup in hand

'As for our Maguire, the economic Maguire, he was able to get pensioners to leave their homes and come and parade in the streets.'

The Manchester United defender responded to a social media clip of Adongo's latest comments.

'MP Issac Adongo apology accepted. See you at Old Trafford soon,' Maguire posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The 30-year-old's gracious acceptance of the apology came despite Adongo's initial comments coming at a low moment in Maguire's career.

Magurie had been frozen out of the Man United team