United Briefing: Maguire’s rallying call
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has urged the Reds to hit back against Arsenal on Saturday following our shock Old Trafford defeat to Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had engineered a 13-match unbeaten Premier League run that stretched back to November, when a loss against the Gunners kickstarted a barnstorming reaction.
The three-month sequence took us to the heart of the title battle, but the slip-up against Sheffield United cost the Reds the chance to leapfrog rivals Manchester City back into the number one position.
Pep Guardiola’s men are now a point ahead with a game in hand and entertain United’s surprise conquerors the Blades at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, before our evening match in London.
The United skipper, who scored our goal on Wednesday, insists the devastation of the 2-1 defeat to Chris Wilder’s side must not linger, and claims the Reds have to step up respond immediately against Arsenal.
The three-month sequence took us to the heart of the title battle, but the slip-up against Sheffield United cost the Reds the chance to leapfrog rivals Manchester City back into the number one position.
Pep Guardiola’s men are now a point ahead with a game in hand and entertain United’s surprise conquerors the Blades at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, before our evening match in London.
The United skipper, who scored our goal on Wednesday, insists the devastation of the 2-1 defeat to Chris Wilder’s side must not linger, and claims the Reds have to step up respond immediately against Arsenal.
Maguire: The boys are devastated Video
Maguire: The boys are devastated
Harry says the lads are down, but that now is the time to stand up and be counted...
"When you do get a defeat, there’s nothing worse than waiting to get back out on the pitch to play and put things right,” Maguire, told club media, following the loss to his former club.
“The boys are devastated, if I’m honest. It’s a really quiet dressing room. The boys are so disappointed; we didn’t expect it, we came into the game confident.
“We’ve got to pick ourselves up. We are disappointed and it hurts, but Saturday is a big game and we’ve got to bounce back.
“It’s all good and easy when you’re winning football matches and you’re playing well, but now it’s time to stand up and be counted.
“When you get kicked down, it’s how quickly you bounce back and Saturday’s a big one and we’ve got to get three points.”
“The boys are devastated, if I’m honest. It’s a really quiet dressing room. The boys are so disappointed; we didn’t expect it, we came into the game confident.
“We’ve got to pick ourselves up. We are disappointed and it hurts, but Saturday is a big game and we’ve got to bounce back.
“It’s all good and easy when you’re winning football matches and you’re playing well, but now it’s time to stand up and be counted.
“When you get kicked down, it’s how quickly you bounce back and Saturday’s a big one and we’ve got to get three points.”
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY?
We’ll be bringing you more post-match reaction to Wednesday’s defeat, including Tunnel Insider, our exclusive video feature.
We’ll also turn our attentions to that classic Premier League fixture at the weekend: Arsenal versus United.
A win would provide a real boost, although we’ll face a stern test from Mikel Arteta’s, men who have enjoyed an upturn in form of late.
We’ll be bringing you more post-match reaction to Wednesday’s defeat, including Tunnel Insider, our exclusive video feature.
We’ll also turn our attentions to that classic Premier League fixture at the weekend: Arsenal versus United.
A win would provide a real boost, although we’ll face a stern test from Mikel Arteta’s, men who have enjoyed an upturn in form of late.
Highlights: United 1 Sheffield Utd 2 Video
Highlights: United 1 Sheffield Utd 2
Watch all the key moments from a disappointing night at Old Trafford...
WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY?
Ahead of the Sheffield United encounter, Ole confirmed defender Eric Bailly had picked up a knock which ruled him out of the match.
We also said goodbye to striker Odion Ighalo, who has returned to Shanghai Greenland Shenhua following his year-long loan at Old Trafford.
The striker wrote an emotional farewell to the club’s supporters, while a host of current players took to social media to bid him goodbye.
We also heard from Mason Greenwood on his defensive improvement, while Alex Telles detailed how our squad depth is helping the Reds.
Ahead of the Sheffield United encounter, Ole confirmed defender Eric Bailly had picked up a knock which ruled him out of the match.
We also said goodbye to striker Odion Ighalo, who has returned to Shanghai Greenland Shenhua following his year-long loan at Old Trafford.
The striker wrote an emotional farewell to the club’s supporters, while a host of current players took to social media to bid him goodbye.
We also heard from Mason Greenwood on his defensive improvement, while Alex Telles detailed how our squad depth is helping the Reds.