Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-24 17:54:22
Manchester United suffered a devastating 2-1 defeat against Fulham on Saturday, with Harry Maguire acknowledging that the team’s overly attacking approach in the final minutes cost them dearly. Erik ten Hag’s side, hoping for a top-four finish in the Premier League, saw their hopes dashed as Alex Iwobi scored the winning goal seven minutes into stoppage time. Despite Maguire’s late equalizer in the 89th minute to cancel out Calvin Bassey’s opener in the 65th minute, United’s aggressive push for a win proved to be their downfall as they were caught out on the counter-attack by Fulham.
Maguire admitted that United did not perform at their best in the first 60 minutes of the game and emphasized the importance of getting the basics right, especially when not in peak form. The team found themselves trailing but showed a strong reaction in the last 30 minutes, leading to Maguire believing that only one team looked likely to win after the equalizer. However, their eagerness to secure all three points led to a lapse in judgement, with too many players going forward and leaving them vulnerable to Fulham’s swift counter-attack.
With this defeat, United find themselves eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the race for Champions League qualification. Fulham’s dominant display at Old Trafford highlighted the work that United still need to do to meet the lofty ambitions set out by new majority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe. Despite the excitement surrounding Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25 percent stake in the club, United’s lackluster performance served as a reminder of the challenges they face in competing with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.
Maguire pointed out the absence of Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, who had been a key player before his injury, as a contributing factor to United’s struggles. The defender acknowledged that injuries have plagued the team throughout the season but emphasized the need to find solutions and improve quickly. Maguire highlighted Hojlund’s role in the team, noting his importance in holding up play and initiating the press, as well as praising the form of Marcus Rashford on the left.
Overall, United’s defeat against Fulham exposed their vulnerabilities and highlighted the areas in which they need to improve. As they strive to secure a top-four finish and compete for silverware, the team must address their injury woes and tactical approach to ensure they do not suffer similar setbacks in the future.
