Harry Maguire admits Man Utd advantage for new Premier League season gives them no excuses
Harry Maguire admits that Manchester United's lack of European football this season gives them 'no excuses' in the Premier League. Maguire, 32, has said that the extra time to prepare for league matches should be an advantage for his team-mates and boss Ruben Amorim, who'll have more hours to work with them on the training ground.
United manager Amorim often bemoaned the Red Devils' busy schedule after he was appointed in November. Due to having a fixture either in Europe or domestically every three to four days for the vast majority of the campaign, the Portuguese found it even more difficult to implement his system.
But that's been flipped on its head this term. After finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final last time out, Amorim's side won't be in Europe whatsoever.
It's only the second time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 that the Red Devils will go into a season without European football. For Maguire, he sees it as an opportunity to make sure that they're in tip-top condition to enjoy a much better Premier League campaign.
"I just want to be part of a successful team this season," the defender told MUTV. "I think last season was a tough season for everyone individually, but also as a team, as a squad, as a club.
"This season, there are no excuses. We're going to have a lot of time to prepare for the Premier League games, and we've got to make sure we're ready. So, for myself, it's making sure I'm available, I'm fit, I'm ready to go, and give everything I can to this team and this club."
Maguire added that he and his team-mates know Amorim's system 'a lot better' following their pre-season tour of the USA, where they largely worked on tactics in training. "It's something that he reiterated, that we didn't have enough time on the training pitch," the England international continued.
Where will Manchester United finish this season? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
"This pre-season, it's been tough on the legs, but the majority of it has been tactical. So, it's nice to do the drills that are tactical rather than running around poles and running around the pitch.
"It's been an enjoyable pre-season, but a pre-season that we've all learnt from. We know the system a lot better, and we've just got to take that into the games now."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
12 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Man Utd make bid for Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko after Newcastle's improved offer
The race for the highly-rated 22-year-old is heating up as the Premier League clubs battle to bolster their front lines. PA understands Newcastle made a second approach to Leipzig after seeing an initial offer – reportedly worth 75million euros (£65.1m) with a further 5m euros (£4.3m) in potential add-ons – rejected last week. That improved offer of at least 80m euros (£69.5m) has been followed by Ruben Amorim's United pursuing their long-standing interest with a bid of their own. The Red Devils have tabled a proposal worth a reported of 75m euros (£65.1m) plus a potential 10m (£8.7m) in add-ons as they seek to take Sesko to Old Trafford.
Scotsman
12 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Hibs in 'advanced' transfer talks with Scotland star as replacement sought for ace after seven figure exit
The latest Hibs transfer news has emerged over the next possible signing and a confirmed outgoing. Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs head coach David Gray has confirmed the club are advancing in transfer talks for ex Birmingham City and Newcastle United defender Grant Hanley. The experienced Scotland international was spotted watching on from the stands in Hibs' Europa League second round qualifier against FC Midtjylland last week. Gray's side are a man short at the back after Lewis Miller sealed a move to Blackburn Rovers in a seven figure deal, with a replacement being sought for a man who played centre half plus right back. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A regular for the national team, Hanley was with Blackburn Rovers for several seasons before earning his big break through a move to Newcastle United on a five year deal in 2016. He was signed under the tenure of Rafa Benitez and took the number five shirt previously worn by Georginio Wijnaldum, but left a year later for Norwich City, where he was at until earlier this year when signed by Birmingham City. Grant Hanley to Hibs latest Hanley is now a free agent and ahead of the Conference League third round qualifier against Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, Gray says a possible deal has moved forward. He said when asked about the ex Newcastle and Birmingham man: 'That's obviously one that's been touted a lot around the place. 'We are in advance talks with that one. We're hoping to see what that will look like. Again, he's someone that has played at a very high level. The right type of people. I speak about that all the time, that we're trying to bring the right type of people in the football club.' On replacing Miller, Gray added: 'I think, of course, we wish him all the very best. I feel he deserves his move. He's done really well. A player I've enjoyed working with. When you think to when he joined, the player he is now, the hard work that he's went through, he deserves his move. I wish him all the very best. I think he'll be successful with all these attributes he's got, down in England. It works for everybody involved, which is always good. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lewis Miller to Blackburn Rovers verdict 'In terms of Lewis moving on and what that looks like, I think it's more a case of looking at the squad and seeing how it looks, and what we're looking at. We have to look at defensive options, players like Lewis attract attention. We've got a lot of players in the group that, whilst the window's open, we need to be ready to be proactive and we have been. We are working hard at that at the minute, but clearly, he's someone that will need replacing because of the attributes he's got. 'I think you're always looking at how strong can you make it. Whilst the window's open, you need to be ready for that, I do think we're still looking. There are still areas in which if it comes up and we think it can improve us, then we'll look to do that. Then you think about what we've done last season. I always keep saying it's the right type of people. We're not just bringing in numbers, there's a lot of hard work going on. We'll continue to go on to make sure we finish the window strongly.'
Daily Record
12 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Scott Brown says Ayr will heed Championship warning and sets sights on home comforts
The manager is looking for his Ayr side to set the right tone when Raith visit town this Saturday. Scott Brown insists Ayr can heed their Championship warning with a quick return to form. United made a slow start at Arbroath on Friday night, in which they laboured for much of the league curtain raiser. Brown admits Ayr will need to up their game dramatically to be at the sharp end this season - but says the opening day draw has focused minds on what's required. He told the Ayrshire Post: 'We know how difficult this league can be from one week to the next. Friday night just proved that. 'The thing that frustrated me the most was how we fell into the trap of going long to our two strikers all night. 'We needed to show more composure on the ball and I hoped that getting the early goal would have allowed us to kick on.' Ayr have a chance to set the tone on home soil when they welcome Raith this Saturday. United were strong at Somerset last season and Brown wants more of the same this time. He said: 'We'll look to use the surface to our advantage and get it down and play. We've got good footballers in the team and we need to make the most of them.' Meanwhile, Brown has acknowledged the ongoing miss that is skipper Ben Dempsey, who has been sidelined since the end of last season with a knee injury. United's influential captain has seen a specialist in a bid to cure the problem and will not be rushed back as he bids to return. Brown said: "Ben is the captain of the club and a massive player for us. So not having him around is a blow. He sets the tempo for everyone and was tremendous for us last season. 'The priority has been getting him back in with us and we're building him up from there. We're starting to see progress on that now." Kevin Holt underwent a small operation on his groin last week but is not expected to miss much game time. Stuart Bannigan is back in training following an interrupted pre-season, with Brown keen to see what he adds to the squad. The boss said: 'It's been frustrating for Banzo as he's had a couple of niggles and missed a lot of the work. So that's put him behind. 'But when he does come back in he'll add that bit of experience in there.' Anton Dowds is continuing his long road back from injury but United won't rush the striker, who ruptured his ACL last September. United want to add a defender from Celtic as part of the co-op deal rubber stamped last week. Kyle Ure and Jude Bonnar have already made the move from Parkhead.
