Harry Maguire: Man Utd failed 'basics' of defending set plays against Leeds

Harry Maguire: Man Utd failed 'basics' of defending set plays against Leeds

Harry Maguire was left frustrated after Manchester United's ongoing problems defending set-pieces resurfaced during Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.

United went into the interval with a one-goal advantage but surrendered their lead just five minutes after the restart. Dominic Calvert-Lewin rose to convert a corner, allowing Leeds to level the score and ensure the spoils were shared.

Carlos Baleba had been tasked with keeping tabs on Calvert-Lewin, but the striker managed to escape his marker and punish United's defensive shortcomings.

The concession was particularly disappointing for Maguire, given that United have already struggled to deal with dead-ball situations this season. They have now shipped the joint-third-highest number of set-piece goals in the Premier League.

Their difficulties were evident on the opening day, when both goals in a 2-0 defeat to Hull City came from set-pieces.

Maguire told MUTV: "It's a game where we got ourselves in a great situation at half-time, and we've been done by a set play, a corner. So when you come to these grounds and you come to these away games, you've got to do the basics well.

"And the basics is defending set plays. And you see at Hull, we got beat there against all with set plays and then today we felt comfortable in the game. We didn't give them much at all and then the set play changes the whole game.

"They had momentum. I felt like we weathered the storm really well for 15, 20 minutes. We had to dig in. Our togetherness, our fight, our spirit was there. Can we be better? Of course we can. We can show a little bit more quality, especially with the ball."

"I think we showed great fight, great spirit, great togetherness. But we have got to start winning football matches soon, and that's what Manchester United demands, and that's what us players demand.

"We got ourselves in a great position, and yeah, it was disappointing to concede that goal so early in the second half. It gave the crowd a big lift, great momentum. We had to weather the storm, like I said.

"I also think we can be better than that. We can play better with the ball, we can show a little bit more composure and bravery. But listen, I felt like the fight, the spirit, the togetherness, all those words you can throw at us was there today, and it was a good battle. I think in the end, a point is probably a fair result." 

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