Sameer Khan
Harry Maguire details the weakness of Manchester United during the closing stages of games
Manchester United have made it a habit of blowing leads during the closing minutes of games. During the past month, they have played lost or tied three games where they held the lead at one point.
The most heartbreaking loss came against Chelsea. Man United fought a 2-0 lead to comeback to 3-2. However, Erik ten Hag and his men couldn’t get over the finishing line and ended up losing the game 4-3.
More recently they blew a 3-0 lead against Championship side, Coventry City during the last two minutes of the game. Harry Maguire recently spoke to Sky Sports and shed light on his team’s mistakes during the closing stages of games. Let’s have a look.
“In the last 10 to 15 minutes [of games] at the start of the season, we were scoring a lot of late goals to win matches so it’s flipped on the other side at the moment.
“We’ve got to do the basics better. We’ve got to defend our box better. We’ve got to get out and block shots, block crosses, don’t be outnumbered in the box when a cross is coming in.”
Maguire says the team need just needs to brush up on the basics of the closing stages of a football game. He also blamed a couple of the closing-minute disasters from the past month on soft penalties as well.
But refereeing complaints don’t mean much in football, results do and Manchester United have not produced any in quite some time now. Erik ten Hag is slowly running out of options and something needs to change.
The Red Devils need to work on their mentality and composure during the closing minutes of games if they wish to have any kind of impact on the scoreboard. If things continue this way their season might as well be over already.
More Manchester United News-
- “The reaction from you was embarrassing”- Erik ten Hag takes strong defensive stance after media questioned Manchester United job
- Jeff Stelling tells Premier League goal machine to snub Manchester United and join PL rivals instead
- Dwight Yorke tells Manchester United to ‘chuck £80 million’ at London club’s star duo
The team’s upcoming games will be a true test of character for the squad. Hopefully, Manchester United will be able to get something out of the last few games.
