Harry Maguire: ‘Everyone dislikes Manchester United' and says ‘physicality of our squad wasn't good enough' last season
He urged this club teammates to start the new season with the motivation to feed off pressure. 'Mental strength definitely has a big part to play. You've got to thrive off the pressure and you've got to play like you're playing in a playground — and that's what we've struggled to find over the last ten years. There has been a transition period, obviously. When Alex Ferguson was here, we had the best team by far and won all the trophies. But in the transition period at the moment, the reality is that we're not the best team.'
He said that he has noted that many players are unable to handle the pressure of playing for the club and don't last long. 'I see a lot of players at Manchester United break through in one or two years. And then, after the second year, you start getting questioned and the form dips a little bit. It happens so much. It's really important to have good support around you, good family around you. But obviously, some players come from different countries and don't have that. So the main thing I always say is that you can only do what you can do. And on the football pitch, you get judged.'
Maguire cited the example of Bruno Fernandes as the model player on how to handle pressure and perform. 'It's how people and how the lads can adapt to that level of scrutiny and to keep going through that scrutiny. Bruno Fernandes is a perfect example. He doesn't care what anyone thinks and he believes in his ability — and shows it on the pitch.'
The undue scrutiny and pressure is an inevitable part of playing for Manchester United, he says. 'And when you play for this club, everything gets analysed. Every goal that goes in the back of the net is someone's fault. You do become used to it. But for a young boy coming into it, when you're a young boy, you have no fear. And then, once you make a couple of mistakes, after a couple of seasons, people then start expecting things from you. And then that is when the real test comes.'
Maguire believes that the Manchester United players weren't fit enough last season.
'And it's really good that we've had a full pre- season to work under this manager [Ruben Amorim]. He spoke about it a lot last season that we just didn't have a chance to train.
'When he first took over, I think the physicality of our squad wasn't good enough for the Premier League. We couldn't run hard enough. We didn't win enough duels. He's realised that now we have got a full pre-season and I think the lads are looking leaner and sharper. We now have good competition for places and I'm sure they'll bring in a couple more. But it's looking a lot brighter.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
12 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Diogo Jota had natural intelligence on the pitch': Klopp pays tribute as PL clubs remember a footballer par excellence
The memory of Diogo Jota will be on every football fan's mind when the Premier League kicks off this weekend. The Liverpool forward, who died tragically in a car accident alongside his brother Andre Silva in Spain last month, will be remembered not just for his footballing brilliance but also for the man he was off the pitch. Liverpool fans with a banner in memory of Diogo Jota inside the stadium(REUTERS) Speaking on JioHotstar's special program, 'Preview of the Season 2025–26,' Liverpool manager Arne Slot and former boss Jürgen Klopp reflected on Jota's enduring legacy. 'He Changed the Dynamics': Klopp Jurgen Klopp, who brought Jota to Anfield in 2020 and oversaw his rise into a key figure in Liverpool's attack, spoke with visible emotion about the Portuguese international's influence. 'Diogo was an incredibly important player for us,' Klopp said. 'Having him in the side changed the dynamics. He had this natural intelligence on the pitch — he found spaces, created chaos for defenders, and scored goals that mattered. But beyond all that, he was someone who always gave everything for the badge.' Klopp, whose deep emotional bond with his players defined his time at Liverpool, was among the first to publicly pay tribute to Jota after the tragic news broke in July. 'He Was a Champion in Every Sense': Slot Current Liverpool head coach Arne Slot also spoke about Jota's wide-reaching impact — not only as a player who helped Liverpool win the Premier League last season but as a person who embodied humility and resilience. 'He was a champion for his family, which is the most important thing,' Slot said. 'He was a champion for his country, winning the Nations League for Portugal — a nation he loved deeply. And he was a champion for us by helping win the Premier League. That title was not possible without his goals, his work rate, and his example.' Slot also offered warm words to Jota's family, saying, 'His parents and Rute [Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso] can be extremely proud of the player and the person he was. He always stayed true to himself. They should — and will — be very proud.' Premier League to Honour Jota and His Brother The Premier League confirmed that all teams will observe a minute's silence during the first round of matches this weekend as part of a coordinated effort to honour Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Players across all clubs will wear black armbands as a mark of respect. Imagery and messages honouring the brothers will also be displayed on stadium screens. The league has worked closely with Liverpool to ensure the tribute is both appropriate and meaningful. A first public tribute was held during last Sunday's Community Shield between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Wembley. A period of silence was observed before kickoff, and wreaths were laid on the pitch in memory of the brothers. Unfortunately, a brief disturbance by a minority of Palace fans drew criticism — including from fellow Palace supporters who made efforts to restore the silence and show respect.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Premier League: Can Manchester United turn their revamp to redemption?
At Old Trafford, the banners still speak of glory days. But last season, the only thing glorious was the collapse. Sixteenth place — the worst finish in Manchester United's history — left them staring down the relegation zone rather than looking up at Amorim's response this summer was ruthless. The driftwood was cleared, the chequebook Sesko, the 22-year-old Slovenian striker with a ruthless streak, was the headline arrival. Matheus Cunha, part chaos, part creator, followed. Bryan Mbuemo, proven and persistent, came to stretch defences. Three signings that send a simple message: this team will score the Spear On paper, it's a frontline that feels a world away from last season's blunted attack. Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee had moments, but not the kind you build a season around. Sesko can finish with cold efficiency, Cunha can turn bad passes into good chances, and Mbuemo runs at defenders until they of it is underpinned by Bruno Fernandes, still United's captain, creator, and heartbeat — the one player who's consistently delivered amid the chaos. Amorim's attacking set-up finally looks like it has a clear plan, one that relies less on isolated moments of brilliance and more on repeatable patterns of Still Feels ThinFor all the new teeth up front, United remain soft in the middle. Casemiro still snarls and sweeps, Mount is eager to reassert himself, and Fernandes works as hard as he creates. But with Christian Eriksen gone, there's no natural anchor in the middle — no midfielder whose primary job is to hold the line when the ball is the Premier League, that's a dangerous flaw. United's transitions last season were often messy, with opponents finding space between midfield and defence far too easily. Without a proper holding presence, that gap could undo much of the good work happening in Finds its Voice AgainIronically, the backline — once United's weekly headache — is showing signs of stability. Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are developing chemistry, Leny Yoro is bedding in, and Amorim's structure is beginning to show on the there's Harry Maguire. A man who's heard every insult and lived through every lowlight, he has quietly rebuilt his place in the squad through steady performances, aerial dominance, and leadership. His return to the leaders' group has by far turned into a statement of purpose for the once stripped off this defensive core stays fit and Maguire maintains his form, United might finally stop leaking goals in the kind of soft, avoidable moments that cost them dearly last then there's Andre Onana, a goalkeeper struggling each day to prove his worth in the Manchester United squad. Even if his backline gives him an armour, it is his form which might get the final Depth IssueadvertisementThe one area still clouded in uncertainty is depth. Alejandro Garnacho and Antony are both in limbo — training in Manchester but keeping one eye on potential moves away. Their talent is clear, but their commitment is questionable. In a league as relentless as this one, a bench without full buy-in can leave a side badly exposed when injuries or suspensions can Manchester United turn a summer of revamp into a season of redemption?The attack is sharper, the defence steadier, but the midfield hole and the lack of certainty off the bench remain stubborn shadows. Amorim has given the team fresh tools and a clearer structure. The hard part now is proving they can build something test begins immediately. On August 17, United open their Premier League campaign against Arsenal — a side that can expose weaknesses as quickly as they punish mistakes. If Amorim's rebuild is to work, it needs to start showing against the very best, and there's no sterner early examination than that.- EndsMust Watch
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Hans India
Grealish reveals Rooney, Gascoigne inspiration behind selecting no.18 shirt at Everton
Everton announced the season-long loan signing of Jack Grealish from Manchester City on Tuesday. The footballing superstar revealed the inspiration behind selecting the number 18 shirt came from English greats Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne. Grealish joined the Toffees as David Moyes' sixth summer signing, the England international arriving on Merseyside having won three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, the Champions League and Club World Cup. He joined a host of well-known Toffees to have donned the jersey, including Rooney, Gascoigne, Phil Neville, Gareth Barry and Ashley Young. "There is a reason for [choosing number 18]. There were other numbers but my two favourite English players ever are Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne and I know they both wore number 18 here. So, as soon as I knew this deal was close, I had a look and number 18 was free, so that was perfect for me and it was the only number I was going to take from that point. I spoke to Wayne [Rooney] before I came here and I mentioned that to him – about the number 18 – so I hope he's happy as well,' said Grealish to Evertontv. Grealish, a serial winner with three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup under his belt at Man City, becomes David Moyes' sixth signing of the summer transfer window following the permanent acquisition of Charly Alcaraz and the additions of Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, Adam Aznou and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. As well as enjoying a trophy-laden spell at the Etihad Stadium, Grealish has also been capped on 39 occasions for England to date – and was part of the Three Lions squad, alongside Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who finished runners-up at the delayed Euro 2020.
