Maguire points the way forward for United By Stuart Mathieson 15 September 2019 08:00

Harry Maguire has saluted Manchester United’s resilience, after the Reds beat his old side Leicester City 1-0 in a tight Old Trafford battle, and vowed they’ll get better.

United’s summer purchase from the Foxes says the victory has signposted the way forward for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. The Reds moved into the top four of the table with our first win since the opening day 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea last month, thanks to Marcus Rashford’s penalty. England international defender Maguire insists his joy had nothing to do with beating his former team-mates but more the positive step in the right direction for United’s future. “I’m really happy and not just because it was against my old team and the pressure of the game and the people talking about the battles during the game. It was just really important that we got the three points today,” Harry told us.

Harry Maguire gets stuck in against his old club on Saturday.

“It wasn’t our best performance by a long way. We were sloppy on the ball at times and we didn’t keep the ball in their half long enough. “But we will improve and we will work hard to improve. It was important that we were solid defensively. They are a good team, and they move the ball around well, but I think we deserved the points in regards to chances created.” United’s win came after the two-week international break and a fortnight since the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s against Southampton but Solksjaer’s embryonic central-defensive partnership of Maguire and Victor Lindelof stood firm against danger man Jamie Vardy. “It is really important, as a defence, to keep a clean sheet. At Old Trafford, we need to keep clean sheets to win games, like in the first game of the season [against Chelsea], if we keep a clean sheet, we win. “We have enough talent in attacking areas to score goals. So, as a back four, as a team, we are really pleased with that.”

Maguire believes his Anglo-Swedish link-up with Lindelof can improve as a cornerstone of the Reds' rebuild. “You have to realise partnerships are built on playing games and we have only had five games, “ says Harry. ” We will get better. I will understand him more and he will understand me more. “There probably will be times when we can do better but we will continue to work hard on the training pitch and that is really important to build relationships around the pitch - not just me and Victor. “It was important we all stuck at it. We knew it was going to be scrappy. As a team, we pressed really well and kept solid and, if we improve with the ball, we will improve as a team.”

Maguire insists he did not get caught up with the personal duel of battling against his old club. “No. It was full focus on the game,” he said. “Obviously, playing against Vardsy [Jamie Vardy], he is a top player and he has done it in the Premier League for numerous years. I know, on his day, he can terrorise defences. I have seen it playing for Leicester for the past few years. “It was really important we got hold of him and vital to nullify him because he is a top player. “I am really enjoying it at United and the boys and the staff have been really brilliant since I came in, and I am settling in really well. If we keep winning games, then I’ll be settling in even more.”