Harry Maguire believes Manchester United must restore their confidence and turn Old Trafford into a fortress after a string of disappointing performances this season. The Red Devils suffered their sixth home Premier League defeat last Saturday, a 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace, followed by a narrow FA Cup victory over Leicester that nearly ended in another setback.
United's struggles at home were evident in Friday's FA Cup fourth-round match, where the team was jeered off at halftime. Bobby De Cordova-Reid's goal had given Leicester the lead, punishing United for a lackluster first-half display. However, a late comeback, featuring Joshua Zirkzee's equalizer and Harry Maguire's controversial offside winner, secured a 2-1 victory for the home side.
Maguire acknowledged the team's difficulties and stressed the need for improvement. When asked about manager Ruben Amorim's reaction at halftime, following rumors he had previously smashed a TV after a 3-1 loss to Brighton, the England defender dismissed the speculation with a smile.
"No TV today! No, he was calm at halftime," Maguire said. "He spoke about tactics and told us we needed to score the next goal to get back into the game. He was right."
The defender praised the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho, who added pace to the attack. However, he admitted that United's slow starts at Old Trafford have been a major issue.
"We can't start games like that," Maguire said. "The recent results at Old Trafford may have made the players lose confidence in front of our own fans. Every time we concede first, it feels like we struggle to turn the game around."
Maguire pointed out that Friday's win could serve as a turning point for the team.
"Tonight was one of those games where you grind out a result, and it gives you belief," he said, recalling a rare comeback victory earlier this season against Southampton. "We need to stop conceding first. We have players who can change the game, but if we're not playing at our best, we need to at least stay solid and keep it 0-0 for as long as possible."
United's defensive frailties have been a recurring problem, and Maguire admitted the team has been too vulnerable under pressure.
"Right now, as soon as we feel a little pressure, we concede. That has to stop," he said.
Despite their struggles, Maguire enjoyed a personal highlight by scoring a last-minute winner at the Stretford End.
"In six years at this club, I hadn't scored a last-minute winner at the Stretford End," he said. "It's a great feeling."
Meanwhile, Leicester will look to recover from their FA Cup disappointment when they return to Premier League action against Arsenal next weekend. The Foxes, who recently suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at Everton but bounced back with a 2-1 win at Tottenham, will aim to deliver a stronger performance at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy remained positive despite the controversial loss.
"We leave here feeling disappointed, but we'll respond," he said. "We've shown that we're ready to fight in the coming weeks."
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