Back in August of 2020, in between the quick break between the end of the 19/20 and 20/21 seasons, Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was arrested on the Greek island of Mykonos after "an incident involving the police." 

In a statement shortly after, United said that the player was fully cooperating with the Greek authorities, and he appeared in court on the island of Syros after spending two days in detention. 

Four days after the initial incident, Maguire was convicted of all charges and found guilty of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and attempted bribery by the court in Syros. He was given a suspended jail sentence of 21 months and 10 days. 

One day later, his legal team appealed the verdict reached by the court. On the 5th of March 2021, it was said that the appeal was unlikely to take place that year, and that was basically the last we had heard of it. Until now, nearly five years later to the very day. 

Indeed, as Maguire has been found guilty of non-serious assault by the Greek courts, and has been handed a 15 month sentence. He will therefore avoid any time in jail unless he commits another offence in that time frame. 

 This is good news for everyone involved to have this put to bed. It must have weighed on his mind a lot over the past few years, even if he wouldn't admit as much if you asked him. 

It's good that the club have stood by him during this time. He is not a bad person, that's clear to see. This was also quite a long time ago, and it is clear from his behaviour before and since that it was clearly a one off when on holiday. 

It's quite ironic that the verdict was delayed on his 28th birthday, and we have now found out the day before his 33rd birthday. Let's hope he can celebrate this news, and his birthday, with three points at St James' Park tonight.

That said, Michael Carrick has said he and Luke Shaw have been ill, so it is no guarantee that he will play. Let's hope he does, as United are already short on numbers at the back, with the continued absence of Lisandro Martinez over the past few weeks, extending to this evening's clash up in the North East. So let's see. 

Once again, good to have this all finally cleared up. 

Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!

It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!