Maguire: We must bounce back now

Tuesday 14 September 2021 21:13

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire says the Reds are disappointed but determined to pick themselves up and show an immediate response following the defeat to Young Boys in our Champions League opener.

United had gone ahead at the Wankdorf Stadium inside 15 minutes through Cristiano Ronaldo’s third goal in two games since his return, but had a mountain to climb after Aaron Wan-Bissaka was shown a red card five minutes after the half-hour mark.

The Swiss champions, playing in front of a sell-out home crowd, made the most of their numerical advantage after the break to level, with Moumi Ngamaleu equalising on 66 minutes. 

The Reds looked to have held out for a point in tough circumstances, but Jordan Siebatcheu pounced on a short back pass from Jesse Lingard to ensure the hosts took the points with the final kick of the game. 

Match report: Young Boys 2 United 1

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The 10-man Reds fall to defeat late on in our Champions League opener in Bern.

Having mounted some strong resistance with 10 men for just under an hour, in an attempt to take something from the encounter, Maguire says the result is naturally difficult to take. 

Despite the current disappointment, the United captain says there are opportunities in the remainder of the group stage to respond, and that the Reds are determined to take those over the coming weeks, starting during the visit of Villarreal to Old Trafford in just over two weeks' time.

“It was a tough game, a tough surface. Away from home, we found ourselves going down to 10 men, [but] we looked comfortable in the game,” he said, speaking to MUTV’s Stewart Gardner. 

“We conceded a scruffy goal which was really unlucky. Although we weren't playing our greatest football and we weren't the biggest threat at the other end of the pitch, we looked really solid, didn't concede many chances and then, obviously, they go away with the victory. 

“It’s the first game in the group, we've got many games to bounce back, so we must do.”
He continued: “We don't like losing any football match, so we're disappointed tonight of course. But it's matchday one, we've got five more matches to go. 

“We’ll be looking to pick up three points in the next game and gain momentum from there. It’s disappointing to lose the first game [but] there’s a long way to go, we have an objective and we've still got every chance of achieving that objective.”
Maguire: We'll pick Jesse up Video

Maguire: We'll pick Jesse up

The skipper remains very confident United will progress, and says the squad will rally round Jesse...

With Wan-Bissaka’s red card coming just over 10 minutes before the break, the Reds had the chance to reset and adjust at the interval, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opting to switch to a back five in order to gain a stronger hold on maintaining the lead. 

It appeared to offer United more solidity, with four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane introduced for his European debut for the club, joining Harry and Victor Lindelof at the heart of the Reds' defence as part of a set-up that the captain believed aided the Reds initially.

“We started the second half well. The shape helped us get out and defend crosses a lot better. 

“Towards the end of the first half, they put a lot of numbers into the box and, with a back four, we couldn’t really control that as well, so I think the shape worked really well.”
But the hosts' continued pressure in numbers did make for a breakthrough, before they claimed the points right at the death, after Jordan Siebatcheu got to, and finished, Lingard’s intended ball to David De Gea deep into stoppage time. 

Maguire pointed out that errors can and will happen, and that it is important now for the lads to support Jesse, who he says will be ready, along with the rest of the team, to bounce back during our next outing which comes in the Premier League against West Ham United on Sunday (19 September).

“It’'s disappointing, but that's football. People make mistakes. Everyone's human,” he said.

“We're not blaming Jesse, he's come on and tried to do the right thing, and obviously he’s left his pass short. 

“Everybody makes mistakes, I’m sure every footballer who played on that pitch today has made a mistake leading to a goal. 

“I’m sure Jesse will pick himself up, we’ll pick him up and we’ll be ready to go again on Sunday.”

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