Maguire: Losing isn't acceptable at this club
Harry Maguire admitted he and his Manchester United team-mates were “devastated” after exiting the Europa League at the semi-final stage, following a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla.
The skipper was adamant that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team were the better side on the night, but added that a lack of composure at both ends of the field had let the side down.
Watch Ole's post-match press conference
Find out what the boss said to the media at Stadion Koln following our defeat to Sevilla...
“It's difficult [to take]. The boys are devastated in there,” Maguire told BT Sport. “We created numerous amounts of chances. We've got to win the game. The best team lost and they punished us for missing the chances. We've been ruthless at times this year, but today we weren't.
“It means a lot to us. The boys are devastated. We've got a good group of lads. We know what it means to play for this club: losing isn't acceptable. Getting to semi-finals isn't acceptable. We've got to now really concentrate on taking it further, taking another step.”The importance of that became clear when substitute de Jong tapped home a simple chance to put the five-time UEFA Cup / Europa League winners ahead with just over 10 minutes remaining.
“We started with the high press, and we scored, and then we maybe let them out a bit too easy and let them have a bit too much possession for our liking,” rued Maguire. “They didn't create many chances if we're being honest.
“[For their winner] it's a ball in our box – obviously they've worked it well down the right. But we've got to do better. We'll look it and we've got to improve. We conceded from two crosses – it's not good enough. But we worked our socks off out there. We deserved to win the game and we deserved to go through. But ultimately we've fallen short at a semi-final for the third time this year, so it's disappointing.”
Semi-final photos
GalleryCheck out these pics from a dramatic Europa League clash in Cologne.
However, the captain was encouraged by much of our performance, particularly in possession, and thinks it’s a matter of time before he and his team-mates can lift some silverware.
“The improvement we've made this year is massive. We've played a good Sevilla team and we've dominated the game,” he continued. “On another day we win the game comfortably and everyone goes on about how well we've played.
“There are areas where we can improve; we know that, and we need to get better. We've finished third in the Premier League and people will say it's a good season, but do we want to finish third next season? No. For sure, it will happen soon [winning a trophy]. We want to win one as soon as possible. You've seen the talent on the pitch; how we've improved throughout the season.”
Ben and Stewart’s round-up
Our men in Cologne give their take, after United’s last game of a mammoth 2019/20 season…