Harry Maguire believes Manchester United must restore their confidence and turn Old Trafford into a fortress after a series of disappointing performances this season. The Red Devils endured their sixth home Premier League defeat last Saturday, losing 2-0 to Crystal Palace, followed by a narrow FA Cup victory over Leicester, which almost ended in another setback.
United’s struggles at home were evident during Friday’s FA Cup fourth-round match, where the team was jeered off at halftime. A goal from Bobby De Cordova-Reid had given Leicester the lead, punishing United for a lackluster first-half performance. However, a late comeback, featuring Joshua Zirkzee’s equalizer and Harry Maguire’s controversial offside winner, secured a 2-1 victory for the home side.
Maguire acknowledged the team’s difficulties and stressed the need for improvement. When asked about manager Ruben Amorim’s reaction at halftime—following rumors he had previously smashed a TV after a 3-1 loss to Brighton—the England defender dismissed the speculation with a smile.
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“No TV today! No, he was calm at halftime,” Maguire said. “He spoke about tactics and told us we needed to score the next goal to get back into the game. He was right.”
The defender praised the impact of Alejandro Garnacho, who brought pace to the attack. However, he admitted that United’s slow starts at Old Trafford have been a significant issue.
“We can’t start games like that,” Maguire said. “Recent results at Old Trafford may have made the players lose confidence in front of our fans. Every time we concede first, it feels like we struggle to turn the game around.”
Maguire suggested that Friday’s win could serve as a turning point for the team.
“Tonight was one of those games where you grind out a result, and it gives you belief,” he said, recalling a rare comeback victory earlier this season against Southampton. “We need to stop conceding first. We have players who can change the game, but if we’re not playing at our best, we need to at least stay solid and keep it 0-0 for as long as possible.”
United’s defensive issues have been a recurring concern, and Maguire admitted the team has been too vulnerable under pressure.
“Right now, as soon as we feel a little pressure, we concede. That has to stop,” he said.
Despite the team’s struggles, Maguire enjoyed a personal highlight by scoring a last-minute winner at the Stretford End.
“In six years at this club, I hadn’t scored a last-minute winner at the Stretford End,” he said. “It’s a great feeling.”
Meanwhile, Leicester will look to bounce back from their FA Cup disappointment when they face Arsenal next weekend in Premier League action. The Foxes, who recently suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at Everton but responded with a 2-1 win at Tottenham, will aim for a stronger performance at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy remained positive despite the controversial loss.
“We leave here feeling disappointed, but we’ll respond,” he said. “We’ve shown that we’re ready to fight in the coming weeks.”
