Maguire: We had the belief that we would win
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire says the team had the belief to go on and beat West Ham on Wednesday evening, despite being behind with less than 15 minutes to play.
The Reds conceded to a brilliant Said Benrahma strike early in the second half, after originally thinking the ball had been run out of play by Tomas Soucek.
But faced with the prospect of an early Emirates FA Cup exit, Erik ten Hag’s men found another gear, equalising through Nayef Aguerd's own goal before going on to win 3-1 inside 90 minutes, thanks to late goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Fred.
“It was tough to go down but we had the belief that we’d go on and win the game,” Maguire told MUTV after the final whistle.
But faced with the prospect of an early Emirates FA Cup exit, Erik ten Hag’s men found another gear, equalising through Nayef Aguerd's own goal before going on to win 3-1 inside 90 minutes, thanks to late goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Fred.
“It was tough to go down but we had the belief that we’d go on and win the game,” Maguire told MUTV after the final whistle.
Maguire: The Stretford End sucked that goal in! Video
Maguire: The Stretford End sucked that goal in!
Harry Maguire was delighted with the fight and team spirit that United showed against West Ham...
“As a defender, we just knew we couldn’t concede the second goal, that was so important, and when you don’t [we know] we’ve got big talent in this squad to change games.
“We knew we had to progress in the FA Cup and to stay in all competitions is our aim and we’ve done it.”
Aguerd's header into his own net levelled the scores just after Casemiro had a headed finish disallowed for offside, before Alejandro Garnacho’s sublime 90th-minute goal was followed up by Fred’s to ensure we avoided extra-time and penalties on the way to the quarter-finals.
“We knew we had to progress in the FA Cup and to stay in all competitions is our aim and we’ve done it.”
Aguerd's header into his own net levelled the scores just after Casemiro had a headed finish disallowed for offside, before Alejandro Garnacho’s sublime 90th-minute goal was followed up by Fred’s to ensure we avoided extra-time and penalties on the way to the quarter-finals.
The last 25 minutes in particular were relentless from United to complete the comeback, with Maguire saying: “It [being relentless] is what the best teams do.
“I’m not saying we’re one of the best teams, there’s lots of improvement to get to there, but we’re getting there.
“We’re making strides forward, we’ve got a philosophy and we play to it. You’ve seen in the second half; it felt like the Stretford End was sucking that goal in, it was an amazing second goal especially by Garnacho.”
“I’m not saying we’re one of the best teams, there’s lots of improvement to get to there, but we’re getting there.
“We’re making strides forward, we’ve got a philosophy and we play to it. You’ve seen in the second half; it felt like the Stretford End was sucking that goal in, it was an amazing second goal especially by Garnacho.”
The skipper is now looking ahead to the next lot of games, admitting that the Reds’ energy to play three games a week comes from that winning momentum.
“I think you always feel more tired when you’re losing games,” he told club media.
“The energy and the intensity comes from the spirit within the group.
“We’ve got such a good group here who are pushing in the same direction and who want the best for the club, and that’s the most important thing.”
“I think you always feel more tired when you’re losing games,” he told club media.
“The energy and the intensity comes from the spirit within the group.
“We’ve got such a good group here who are pushing in the same direction and who want the best for the club, and that’s the most important thing.”
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