Harry Maguire

Harry: We've got to look at ourselves

Sunday 14 February 2021 17:03

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire was disappointed after the 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

The Reds skipper was in the thick of things as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Reds were held to a draw against Sam Allardyce's Baggies. The hosts went in front after just 83 seconds with a header from Mbaye Diagne before Bruno Fernandes pulled off a tremendous volley to equalise moments before the break.

United pushed on for a winner after the interval but could not find a route to goal, even if a penalty was overturned when Maguire was felled by Semi Ajayi. 

Report: West Brom 1 United 1

 Article

Bruno Fernandes nets a superb volley, but the Reds are held to a draw at The Hawthorns.

Maguire came closest to winning it for the Reds when a fingertip save from former United Academy goalkeeper Sam Johnstone pushed a header against the post in injury time. Our captain delivered an honest assessment of Sunday's draw. 

"Yeah, we created a lot of chances, enough to win the game," the skipper told Sky Sports afterwards. 

"We made it difficult for ourselves conceding the goal, but, for me, it’s a foul. Obviously, at the end, it hits the post and it’s a great save by Sam [Johnstone] to be fair. It’s disappointing to come away with a point, we felt we deserved more. We dominated the game in their half, we created chances, they put in blocks, cleared off the line. We can do more, we can do more for sure, we can improve but it’s disappointing.“

The centre-back felt United reacted well to the early setback at The Hawthorns, even if it was upsetting to fall behind again on the road.

"Obviously, it’s a tough start conceding so early, it’s a tough place to come. We know they are going to defend deep and defend with numbers so we made it harder for ourselves," the 27-year-old emphasised.

"I thought we showed a good reaction, sometimes we played a little bit too slow but we created chances, and, in the second half, we played with great tempo. On another day, we score two or three goals and it’s a different story but we need to improve."

Before the header which hit a post, United were awarded a penalty when Maguire was brought down in the box. However, after referee Craig Pawson had checked the VAR monitor, he overturned his initial decision.

"I was so certain it was a penalty," our captain said, describing he felt a clip on his heel and was pulled on his shoulder.

"We've got to do more to win the game, we cannot rely on VAR decisions. We've got to do more to win the game, we still got to improve."

United are now back to second in the Premier League, level on points with Leicester City, who beat Liverpool 3-1 at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. Our cross-town rivals Manchester City sit top of the table, seven points ahead of the Reds with a game in hand.

Maguire still believes the title race is on for United this season, insisting that the club's ambition is to win in every game. 

"Of course we are," the England international said about his team still being in the fight for the Premier League crown.

"We got to look at ourselves and win the next one. Manchester City are on a great run at the moment. They’ve created a points gap but we've got to look at ourselves." 

United's next chance to claim Premier League points is at home to Newcastle United on 21 February.

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