Maguire: We need to play with more intensity

The Reds succumbed to Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal but were second best to a buoyant Magpies side for much of the night at St James’ Park.

Playing alongside Luke Shaw in central defence, Maguire was one of United’s better performers, making a number of crucial blocks, tackles and interceptions to thwart Newcastle attacks and demonstrating plenty of heart and desire at both ends of the pitch.

But in truth, Newcastle dominated most facets of the game and, though United came close to snatching an equaliser late in the game, Eddie Howe will feel his side could have won by more than a solitary goal.

“The boys are disappointed,” Maguire admitted. “I don’t think we played to our level. It’s been a tough week: three away games in six days – but we don’t use that as an excuse. 

“We didn’t play well enough, especially in the first half. We grew into the game in the second half and maybe could have got the point. We put a lot of pressure on them in the last 10 or 15 minutes but it wasn’t enough and, in the end, you’ve got to say Newcastle deserved it.

“We allowed them to get into our box far too easily, so it’s something that we need to work on – all of us as a team.”

United have a quick opportunity to bounce back with Chelsea visiting Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

And Maguire is clear about what is needed if the team are to improve on Saturday’s display and overcome Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

“We know we’ve got to do better, we’ve got to play better, the team’s got to perform better,” Maguire said. “We’ve got to play with a lot more intensity and tempo. We’ve got to win more duels – I feel that in the first half, we lost far too many duels; every 50-50 we got beat in. 

“We’ve got to be aggressive, we’ve got to play on the front foot, we’ve got to play at a big tempo, and we just didn’t do that well enough tonight.”