Harry Maguire: “We’ve not written off the 2021-22 season for Man Utd”

Harry Maguire admitted it’s been a tough week for the Manchester United squad in the wake of Sunday’s capitulation against Liverpool.

The Red Devils lost 5-0 at home to their great rivals, with Maguire at the heart of several embarrassing defensive lapses.

In the aftermath, the squad have come in for some heavy criticism, while manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future has been under the spotlight since Sunday.

The United captain admitted it’s been a difficult week on the training ground, but claims he and his team-mates are hoping to put in a big performance on Saturday when they face Tottenham Hotspur.

"It’s been a tough week obviously, you can’t just brush these things aside, especially when you lose to your rivals,” the centre-back told the club’s official website.

“To lose in the manner that we did was so disappointing. We’ve obviously had big discussions, we’ve analysed the game and the goals and looked at how we can do better and improve. That’s the most important thing now, we need to come together as a group and a club.”

“We know as a group of players we need to make sure we’re together and we’re positive. It’s a tough one to move on from but we need to move on,” he added.

“There are lots of games to play in the Premier League, we’re in a strong position in the group in the Champions League and we’re still early on in the season. And it’s a season in which we know we can still achieve things.”

A ‘United’ dressing room

Since Sunday’s loss, multiple reports have emerged claiming several members of the United squad are not happy with Solskjaer’s coaching methods, while certain outlets have said the team are split on whether the Norwegian is the right man to lead the Red Devils.

However, Maguire was keen to quash those rumours and claimed every player is looking to try and help the team and there’s no ‘blame game’ among the squad.

"We have a lot of experience in our dressing room and a lot of leaders,” he said. “We’re open, we’re men and we can take someone pointing the finger at us, but one thing is for sure and that’s that we all know we’re in this together, there’s no blame game.

“Everyone has to look at themselves individually and look at where they can improve and help the team, that’s what I’ve been doing and I’m sure that’s what every player has been doing in the dressing room. That’s the only way forward, we stick together, we move on and we improve.”

Backing for Solskjaer

In a separate interview with Norwegian outlet TV2 , Maguire was asked whether Solskjaer is the right man to lead United, and was unequivocal in his response.

“Yes of course,” he said. “Ole has played for this club for many years and he has been the manager for three years. He knows what to expect and I’m sure he can handle the ups and downs. He knows what’s going on in this club.

“That [defeat against Liverpool] was of course disappointing for him, but it was disappointing for everyone involved in this club. Everyone looks at themselves and where they can improve, that also applies to me.

“I know from my experience in this club that when you lose matches there are always rumours about what happens in the dressing room, but most of it is not true,” he added, when asked about the reports of squad disharmony this week. “We have a strong and unified dressing room. We stand together on this and move forward together.”