Maguire admits to defensive frustration

The Reds went 1-0 down to an excellently take goal from Villa midfielder Jack Grealish but led through an own goal by Tom Heaton and a header by Victor Lindelof. However, soon after the Swede's header, Tyrone Mings volleyed in an equaliser. 

“We got ourselves in a great position in the second half and again conceded a sloppy goal really,” Maguire told MUTV after the match.

“I haven’t really looked back at it. Live, I thought it was offside but I haven’t looked at it back and, obviously, VAR is there for a reason and it was onside. But it’s disappointing because we got ourselves in a good position after the first half wasn’t good enough.

“I think we started the game okay. I don’t think it was too bad. And then they scored really against the run of play.

“Fair play to Jack [Grealish], it’s a goal where we hold our hands up and it seems like this year we’re conceding a lot of excellent goals from outside the box. It was disappointing to go one-down. I think that really took the stuffing out of ourselves. We got a bit edgy and a bit nervy after the goal.


“We managed to get ourselves in a good position after half-time and we had full confidence that we were going to go on and win the game. Really, in the second half we dominated the half and it’s disappointing to draw 2-2.”

United conceded three goals at Sheffield United last Sunday but were pegged back at the death in the 3-3 thriller. Once again, against Villa, we couldn’t hold on for three points.

“As a defender especially, it’s frustrating." the skipper reflected. "We haven’t really conceded many chances or goals prior to the last two games and then we’ve conceded five. And the attackers have scored five and we’ve ended up coming away with two points.

“It’s disappointing, especially as a defender. It’s something that we’ll work on but it’s not like we were conceding lots and lots of chances today. Like I said, Jack scored a worldie and the second goal has come from a set-play, which we need to tighten up on.

“But I felt every time we went forward in the second half, we were going to score. We caused them numerous problems. Anthony [Martial] had a great chance, sometimes the ball doesn’t go in the back of the net. That’s what happened today, but, like I said, the first half wasn’t good enough.

“The second half was better but it’s disappointing to draw at Old Trafford.”

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