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    Manchester United news: Red Devils 'more than capable' of reaching top four, says Harry Maguire

    Planet Sport writerStaff Writer7 March 2022
    Harry Maguire, Manchester United

    Harry Maguire, Manchester United

    Manchester United suffered an embarassing 4-1 defeat to fierce rivals Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, but captain Harry Maguire insists his side is good enough to reach the top four.

    Kevin De Bruyne stole the show in the first half, scoring either side of Jadon Sancho's composed finish.

    United could consider themselves unlucky to be trailing at the break, but Manchester City stamped their authority on the match in the second half, adding two to their lead via Riyad Mahrez while racking up 89% possession.

    The result extended City's lead at the top of the table above Liverpool, while it sent Manchester United crashing down to fifth after Arsenal's win over Watford earlier in the day.

    With Tottenham and Liverpool up next, Ralf Rangnick's side face an uphill battle to catch back up with the Gunners, who are one point ahead despite having played three less games.

    But while many are counting out the Red Devils for that precious fourth spot, club captain Harry Maguire insists his side are good enough to still make it.
    "We know it's an important end to the season that we've got and a run of games where we've got to know that we've got to go on a run, and we've got to go and pick up win after win after win," the centre-back said.
    "We're more than capable of doing it but we've got to show it on the pitch.
    "We've got to show it every game that we go into, take each game as it comes, a big game against Tottenham next so we've got to make sure that we focus this week.
    "I know it's going to be a disappointing couple of days, it always is when you lose one of these big games, big emotional games. The lads are devastated."

    Maguire was among a number of United players criticised following the match, with Roy Keane stating that there were "five or six players who should never play for Manchester United again".

    But Maguire shared the disappointment of fans and pundits, and defended his side's workrate ahead of the clash.

    "It's a disappointing result for the players, for the club, for the fans, for everyone involved.

    "We come into these games full of emotion, we give everything, we work tirelessly in the preparation, we look forward to the games and we had great belief that we could come here and get a result.
    "So, first and foremost, it's very disappointing that we've come here and got the result that we did.
    United continue their pursuit of Champions League qualification next Saturday, when they take on fellow top-four chasing Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

    READ MORE: The Premier League top four won't change, say the bookies

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