MY ACCOUNT
Harry Maguire has talked up Manchester United’s squad strength and declared he is ready to play his part in their end-of-season run-in.
England international Maguire has had to largely make do with being a squad player this season, having started just six of United’s 29 Premier League matches.
The 30-year-old was brought into the side in place of Raphael Varane for Saturday’s meeting with Everton and helped United to a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory.
United are well positioned in their battle for a top-four finish in the Premier League, while also still being in contention for silverware in the Europa League and FA Cup.
With as many as 16 games still to come this season, United captain Maguire says every player will have a part to play.
“We’re never going to be successful as 11 players,” he told MUTV. “This is the Premier League and we’re playing in all competitions.
“We want to do as much as we can in every competition, win more trophies and compete at the highest level of the Premier League. To do that you need more than 11 players.”
United welcomed back Christian Eriksen from a two-month injury lay-off against Everton, while Anthony Martial stepped up his recovery with a goal from the substitutes’ bench.
Not only does that bolster Erik ten Hag’s choices in midfield and attack, Maguire believes it also helps get more out of other players due to the increased competition for places.
“To get Christian back, Anthony back, they’re huge players for us, huge players for the squad,” he said.
“They can make a difference off the bench, can start games and it just brings that little bit more energy into everybody, knowing that competition for places is high.
“We’ve got a good squad to be able to cope with the demands that we’ve been put through in the games that we have to play.”
Martial scored his fourth league goal of the season in the routine win over Everton after Scott McTominay had given United a first-half lead at Old Trafford.
United dominated the first half in particular but only had one goal to show for it, though Maguire feels that was his side’s best opening 45 minutes of the season to date.
“There have been some good halves – like the second half against Barcelona – but the first half [against Everton], I’d probably say that’s the strongest, for sure,” Maguire said.
“If we’d come in at half-time 4-0 up, I think no one would be complaining. But nothing is ever comfortable in the Premier League. It should have been comfortable, that’s for sure.
“I think we thoroughly deserved the three points. The only thing probably missing was more goals.”
United host Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, while Brighton and Hove Albion await in the FA Cup semi-finals on April 23.
