Harry Maguire has issued a stern message to his Manchester United team-mates, insisting they cannot dwell on their FA Cup triumph over Arsenal as the Premier League table is still a source of shame for the club.
Despite Ruben Amorim‘s team pulling off an unexpected win on penalties against Arsenal, after Diogo Dalot’s red card left them with 10 men, and securing a 2-2 draw at Liverpool, Maguire knows that a couple of good results don’t make a season.
The England defender is painfully aware that being in the fourth round doesn’t change the fact that a glance at the league table is a humiliating sight for United.
With just six victories from 20 matches, United sit uncomfortably in 13th place, and Amorim has acknowledged the threat of relegation.
Maguire is adamant that the current situation is far from satisfactory. He stated: “Obviously, we’ve had four tough away games under this manager and I feel like in all four, Arsenal (twice), Manchester City and Liverpool, we’ve competed in all of them.
“I think it’s important that we stick together. But we also have to realise that we are still where we are in the league table.
“We’ve got big games coming up, and we can’t rest because the league table, to look at, is embarrassing. So we’ve got kick on from this.
“We know we can perform in these big games, but we’ve got to maintain our consistency. This year it has been really poor. We’ve got good experienced players who’ve had good careers.
“We all have belief that we should be a lot higher in the table. We know that. To be sat where we are in the Premier League, it’s nowhere near good enough for this squad. But it’s down to us to change it.”
Having struggled under ex-managers Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag before nearly leaving Old Trafford, Maguire has since found his form with the help of new manager Ruben Amorim.
The former United captain explained: “I’m 31 now, coming up to 32 in a couple of months, but I’m getting back to that level. There’s no doubt I had a tough year in my third season when Ralf took over.
“I wasn’t at my best. I knew that. I knew I needed to find something to stay at this club, because it demands high standards, and I feel like I’ve found something.
“Mentally and physically I feel good. Ruben’s given me confidence and belief that they want me at the club and part of this project.
And I’m happy to be here. I want this club to be back fighting for titles and not fighting where we are in the table right now.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk