Harry Maguire expressed frustration after Manchester United conceded from another set-piece, this time in a 1-1 draw at Leeds United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
United led at half-time at Elland Road, but Leeds equalised five minutes into the second half when Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored from a corner. Carlos Baleba was marking Calvert-Lewin, but the striker escaped to score. The result extended United's winless run to six matches.
Maguire: 'We've been done by a set play'
United had previously lost 2-0 to Hull City on the opening day, conceding twice from set-pieces. Speaking to MUTV, Maguire said: "It's a game where we got ourselves in a great situation at half-time, and we've been done by a set play, a corner. So when you come to these grounds and you come to these away games, you've got to do the basics well."
He added: "And the basics is defending set plays. And you see at Hull, we got beat there against all with set plays and then today we felt comfortable in the game. We didn't give them much at all and then the set play changes the whole game."
Fight and spirit shown but quality needed
Maguire acknowledged the team's effort: "They had momentum. I felt like we weathered the storm really well for 15, 20 minutes. We had to dig in. Our togetherness, our fight, our spirit was there. Can we be better? Of course we can. We can show a little bit more quality, especially with the ball."
He continued: "I think we showed great fight, great spirit, great togetherness. But we have got to start winning football matches soon, and that's what Manchester United demands, and that's what us players demand."
Point a fair result but wins needed
Maguire noted the impact of the early second-half goal: "We got ourselves in a great position, and yeah, it was disappointing to concede that goal so early in the second half. It gave the crowd a big lift, great momentum. We had to weather the storm, like I said."
He concluded: "I also think we can be better than that. We can play better with the ball, we can show a little bit more composure and bravery. But listen, I felt like the fight, the spirit, the togetherness, all those words you can throw at us was there today, and it was a good battle. I think in the end, a point is probably a fair result."
United have now conceded the joint-third most set-pieces in the Premier League this season. They face Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, a quick chance to return to winning ways. Maguire said: "When you're not winning football matches, the best thing to have is games around the corner. So, yeah, another great opportunity on Wednesday. Big game. Obviously disappointed to lose in Madrid in the week."
He added: "Felt like we deserved something from the game, but we look forward to Como. We know they're a tough game. It's a quick turnaround. The lads need to be ready, need to be focused, need to prepare well, and we'll be ready to go."
