‘Not what I wanted’ – Harry Maguire posts Man United message
Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford wasn’t without its controversial moments in their Premier League opener.
Ruben Amorim‘s side picked up from where they left off last season, with a narrow defeat in a big game that leaves the Portuguese under pressure to prove he’s capable of turning the Man United ship around.
The Red Devils were in the ascendancy for large swathes of Sunday’s clash against historic rivals Arsenal with new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo impressing, but United were undone early on.
Altay Bayindir’s error from an Arsenal corner in the 13th minute saw him meekly push the ball straight onto the head of Riccardo Calafiori, who was left with a simple finish to net Arsenal’s eventual winner.
Maguire made to rue late penalty call in vow to ‘improve’
Amorim’s first starting XI of the new season saw Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw occupy Man United’s back three, with Maguire brought on for the latter as the hosts pushed for an equaliser late on.
Maguire‘s last-gasp introductions were the source of three decisive injury-time goals in the FA Cup and Europa League last season, but his cameo against Arsenal yielded nothing more than a late penalty call.
Keith Hackett told Football Insider that Maguire was trying to deceive referee Simon Hooper after going down under pressure from Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes, as United failed to find an equaliser.
The 32-year-old posted on Instagram after full-time on 17 August with a message for Red Devils fans, which said: “Not the start we wanted but positives to work with.
“We will work hard to improve, plenty of points to play for. Thanks for your support Old Trafford”
Man United’s overhaul won’t harm Maguire’s minutes yet
Football Insider Verdict
United’s former chief scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that transfer interest in Maguire has been dismissed this summer, with Amorim seeing the centre-back as “integral” to his Old Trafford plans.
Amorim has rebuilt Man United’s frontline with the signings of Cunha, Mbeumo and Maguire’s fellow substitute Benjamin Sesko, but this has taken attention away from other areas in need of reinforcements.
Maguire’s place as an option in Maguire’s back three is secure for now, but after Bayindir cost United what could have been a victory without his error, a goalkeeper such as PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma must be top of the list.