Maguire: Our tactical approach was perfect
Harry Maguire praised the tactical set-up from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his coaching team that resulted in our 2-0 Manchester derby win on Sunday.
The Reds extended our excellent unbeaten away run in the Premier League with the victory, while simultaneously bringing an end to Pep Guardiola’s side’s 21-game winning streak.
While Maguire and co put in a solid defensive display to deny the usually free-scoring Manchester City, our skipper modestly highlighted the work of our coaching department in masterminding the Reds’ winning approach.
While Maguire and co put in a solid defensive display to deny the usually free-scoring Manchester City, our skipper modestly highlighted the work of our coaching department in masterminding the Reds’ winning approach.
Maguire: Credit to the manager's tactical plan Video
Maguire: Credit to the manager's tactical plan
Harry Maguire pays tribute to the tactical plans that were prepared by the manager, his coaches and the analysts...
“We have brilliant coaches and a brilliant manager and brilliant analysts as well,” Harry told club media after the derby.
“Credit to them because they are the ones who sent us out in that formation and those tweaks when they have the ball. We knew they were going to keep the ball at times and the positions that they find themselves in, they have a lot of possession.
“We’ve seen that in recent games, so we had to be patient at times, but we had to make sure we kept getting up to the ball, kept getting contact, keep making tackles. I felt that we did that really well.
“For sure we can improve, we can do better in parts of the game. But it’s an important win, an important performance after a disappointing trip to London in midweek. Now we have to dust ourselves down and go again. We’ve got another big game on Thursday.”
“Credit to them because they are the ones who sent us out in that formation and those tweaks when they have the ball. We knew they were going to keep the ball at times and the positions that they find themselves in, they have a lot of possession.
“We’ve seen that in recent games, so we had to be patient at times, but we had to make sure we kept getting up to the ball, kept getting contact, keep making tackles. I felt that we did that really well.
“For sure we can improve, we can do better in parts of the game. But it’s an important win, an important performance after a disappointing trip to London in midweek. Now we have to dust ourselves down and go again. We’ve got another big game on Thursday.”
One-quarter of our magnificent back four at the Etihad managed to get himself on the scoresheet during Sunday’s win: Luke Shaw.
February’s Player of the Month registered just his third-ever strike for the Reds to continue his excellent recent form, and Harry was delighted that his team-mate got on the scoresheet.
“We’ve encouraged Luke to get forward more and more. He’s creating chances, creating assists. We’ve been getting on him to score some goals because that’s the final part of the jigsaw,” said our no.5.
“He has that much ability – he can do everything. He shouldn’t stop at creating shots and creating chances, so to get a goal today is really important for him and for his confidence to go to the next level, and to bring back to the team as well. The more goals we score the better it is.”
February’s Player of the Month registered just his third-ever strike for the Reds to continue his excellent recent form, and Harry was delighted that his team-mate got on the scoresheet.
“We’ve encouraged Luke to get forward more and more. He’s creating chances, creating assists. We’ve been getting on him to score some goals because that’s the final part of the jigsaw,” said our no.5.
“He has that much ability – he can do everything. He shouldn’t stop at creating shots and creating chances, so to get a goal today is really important for him and for his confidence to go to the next level, and to bring back to the team as well. The more goals we score the better it is.”
Highlights: City 0 United 2 Video
Highlights: City 0 United 2
Here's what happened when the Reds travelled across town for the Manchester derby in March 2021...
Harry was also asked about Dean Henderson, who was faultless for the Reds between the sticks, in place of David De Gea.
“He [Dean] is a confident lad. To play in goal for Manchester United you have to be confident because it’s probably the most scrutinised position in English football,” Harry explained.
“It’s good to have that competition [with De Gea], but I’m sure he’ll be very happy tonight to keep a clean sheet, especially in a Manchester derby and obviously being a Manchester United fan growing up.”
“He [Dean] is a confident lad. To play in goal for Manchester United you have to be confident because it’s probably the most scrutinised position in English football,” Harry explained.
“It’s good to have that competition [with De Gea], but I’m sure he’ll be very happy tonight to keep a clean sheet, especially in a Manchester derby and obviously being a Manchester United fan growing up.”
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