Harry Maguire enjoyed one of his best games of the season in Sunday’s Manchester derby, containing Erling Haaland as Manchester United came from behind to beat Manchester City in the Premier League.
Following the 2-1 victory, in which Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo struck late in the game to record a famous win at the Etihad Stadium, Maguire spoke to journalists in the mixed zone.
What was the mood in the United dressing room? How do you feel after such a big win?
Obviously really pleased. It’s been a difficult start to the season for us and not much for our fans to cheer about, so today’s for them. We hope they all have a great day and great night, and I’m sure they’ll be celebrating.
What does it say about the group's resilience that you produce a result like that?
I thought the game was a 50-50, game, to be honest. Could have gone either way.
They got their goal from a set play. It took a deflection, it was a good header in the end, but, yeah, disappointed to concede a goal. We had chances, we pushed in the end.
Bruno had a good chance and then we got our reward in the end it felt like. It was a great performance in the end to come here and have 50-50 of the ball, have the same amount of shots as them. It's not been like that in recent years, so it’s an improvement but still a long way to go.
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Amad Diallo of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates in the 2-1 Premier League win against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on December 15, 2024. Getty Images -
Amad Diallo of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal. Getty Images -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the game. Getty Images -
Amad Diallo of Manchester United scores his team's winner. Getty Images -
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United scores his team's first goal from the penalty spot. Getty Images -
Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Ruben Dias. Getty Images -
Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City scores his team's opening goal. Getty Images -
Tempers flare after a coming together between Manchester City's Kyle Walker and Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund. PA -
Manchester City's Phil Foden has a shot. EPA -
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim consoles Mason Mount after he was substituted following another injury. Reuters -
Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City takes on Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United. Getty Images -
Jeremy Doku of Manchester City is closed down by Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United. Getty Images -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola before the kick-off. Getty Images
What can you say about Amad?
He’s done well this season. Look, he’s only still a young boy and has a lot to learn.
I'm sure he’ll get loads of experience playing in these big matches, and I’m sure he’s got a big future for this club. We're happy that he’s doing well, but, like I said, still a long way to go. He’s got a big job to help us climb the table and to improve this club.
How are things under Ruben Amorim? What’s he changed?
I think you can see we have a good structure, a good style of play, the way that he wants us to work. But, yeah, I think his demands, he’s tactically very good. He’s proven that he’s a winner. And, look, we’re still new. I think he’s been here a month now or so, and we’re really looking forward to where we can go and where we can take this club, and I’m sure he’ll take it in a positive way.
How are you finding the back three? You have experience of that with England. Is it a seamless transition for you to slot in there and play that system?
Yeah, definitely. I’ve been injured when he [Amorim] first joined, so I’ve just got to bide myself a bit of time and they’re looking after my minutes. I haven’t been able to play back-to-back games yet.
It’s 90 minutes under my belt for the first time in two, three months. It’s nice, it feels good. Obviously playing the back three, I’ve played in numerous times in my career – generally played on the left, but obviously playing in the middle now. It feels good, we feel solid. There’s still, like I say, so much more improvement we need to do.
How do you fix the set-piece vulnerability? It wasn't your undoing today, but it has in the last two Premier League games
Against Arsenal it was a pretty 50-50 game again, and they score two set plays. No, it's something that we do need to work on. I think physically we had a good, strong team out there today. Listen, sometimes the ball comes in, it took a good deflection the ball in, and it fell straight on his head. It was good header. Sometimes you can't stop those set plays. Apart from that, we defended them well. But, yeah, I think in recent games there's been areas where we can do a little bit better on defending set plays, so I’m sure we'll work on that and we'll improve on that.
How do you see your future at United? Do you want to sign a new deal?
Listen, I haven’t really thought about it. I’ve still got this year to go with an option in their hands. But, yeah, all the signs are positive now and the chat that I’m having is positive.
After a month under Amorim what does a win like this do for confidence?
Of course, it’s important. Winning football matches is important. When you play for this club, it demands winning. Obviously, we had back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, so to come here and to put a statement down is really important for our confidence and the belief of where we’re going and where Ruben’s going to take us.
Like I said, I’m sure it's going to be a positive journey.
