Harry Maguire urges Manchester United to be braver after Leeds stalemate
Manchester United’s difficult opening to the Premier League season continued with a 1-1 draw at Leeds United, leaving Michael Carrick’s side 13th after taking only one win from their first seven league matches.
Bryan Mbeumo put United ahead after 35 minutes at Elland Road, finishing from close range to give the visitors a first-half advantage. Leeds responded soon after the interval, however, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored from a corner routine to level the contest. United pressed more effectively again from around the 70-minute mark, but neither side found a decisive goal and the points were shared.
Harry Maguire said United’s problems were not rooted in commitment, but in their composure when possession came under pressure. The defender felt the visitors had prepared to use the midfield spaces available to them, yet did not show sufficient confidence on the ball.
“We could have been braver in possession and accepted the ball under pressure,” Maguire said. “We are in a situation where we are not as brave as we need to be, and we have to recover that because Manchester United have to play with bravery and composure to win matches.”
Maguire defended the group’s attitude in a demanding away fixture, particularly against a Leeds team he said had made a strong start to the campaign. But he identified the concession from a set piece as a major source of frustration after United had largely limited the hosts’ opportunities.
“Nobody can doubt the unity, the spirit or the effort,” he said. “It is a hard place to visit and Leeds have been doing very well in the league. We need to be better with the ball. At grounds like this, you cannot allow yourself to be beaten from set pieces, and that goal put them back into the match.
“We were comfortable with our shape for much of the game and they did not create many chances. Letting in a set-piece goal just after half-time was disappointing. We had to battle, then got back on top at about 70 minutes and perhaps looked more likely to win it. But a draw is probably a fair result.”
Martinez concern after turbulent week
The Elland Road draw followed United’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, a result that intensified scrutiny around Carrick after a busy summer recruitment programme and a return of just one Premier League victory so far.
Lisandro Martinez had added to the tension after the Atletico loss by publicly calling on technical director Jason Wilcox to do more, arguing that attention should also fall on the club’s hierarchy rather than solely on Carrick. Maguire said the matter had been addressed at Carrington before the Leeds match.
“There has been plenty of noise around the club this week, as there always is, but it has been greater this week,” Maguire said. “Lisandro has spoken, apologised, and we have moved forward.”
Martinez was included from the start against Leeds but did not return after half-time, with Noussair Mazraoui introduced in his place after the Argentine suffered a thigh problem. United will now assess the defender’s condition as Carrick looks to restore confidence in a squad facing a congested domestic and European schedule.
