Harry Maguire has claimed Manchester United's players lack bravery after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday. The centre-half also addressed the situation surrounding Lisandro Martinez following the defender's criticism of the club's senior figures in midweek.
United Held at Elland Road
The visitors took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo's close-range finish with 35 minutes played, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin levelled from a well-worked corner shortly after the break. The result leaves United 13th in the Premier League with just one win from their opening seven matches.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Maguire said the draw came down to a lack of bravery. "We worked on it this week. We wanted to match them up without the ball and go quite aggressive. It was a bit of a five without the ball and a bit of a four with the ball," he explained.
Maguire on Bravery and Leeds
"Fluid in midfield. We knew we could get a lot of joy in the middle of the pitch with them only playing two in there. That's probably the area of the game where we could've done more. We could've been a bit braver with the ball and taken the ball under pressure. But we're in a circumstance where we are not as brave as we should be, and we have to get that back because to win games for Man Utd we have to have that bravery and composure."
On Leeds, he added: "You can't question the togetherness, the spirit, the fight. This is a tough place to come. Leeds have been flying in the league. We can be better. We have to show more quality with the ball. When you come to places like this, you can't be beaten on set plays and we conceded a set play which got them back in the game."
Martinez Situation Addressed
Maguire also touched on Martinez, who was critical of the club's senior leadership after Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid. The Argentine demanded more from technical director Jason Wilcox and suggested scrutiny should fall on those above head coach Michael Carrick.
"There's been a lot of noise around the club this week - as there is every week - but more so, this week. Lisandro's come out, he's apologised, we've moved on from it," Maguire said. Martinez started against Leeds but was replaced by Noussair Mazraoui at half-time due to a thigh issue.
