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Maguire hailed the desire the Red Devils demonstrated in the game and highlighted the improvements the Mancunian side has made under new head coach Amorim following their 2-1 win over arch-rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)
Manchester United picked up a statement win over cross-town rivals Manchester City on Sunday in the Premier League with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the holders at Etihad as strikes from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo rendered Josko Gvardiol’s opener a mere consolation.
United defender Harry Maguire hailed the desire the Red Devils demonstrated in the game and highlighted the improvements the Mancunian side has made under new head coach Ruben Amorim.
“It’s been a difficult start to the season for us and not much for our fans to cheer about,” Maguire said.
“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,” he elaborated.
“It’s not been like that in recent years, so it’s an improvement but still a long way to go,” the Englishman added.
United had lost their two previous PL fixtures heading into the Manchester Derby, but that did not stop Amorim from picking up his first win in the heated rivalry on his debut derby.
“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,” said Maguire.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a positive journey,” he opined.
Maguire noted that the side would take some time to completely acclimatise to the Portuguese boss’ preferred 3-4-3 formation, but asserted that the unit are on the right track with the 39-year-old manager at the helm.
“I think you can see we have a good structure, a good style of play, the way that he wants us to work,” Maguire said.
“But, yeah, I think his demands, he’s tactically very good. He’s proven that he’s a winner,” the 31-year-old said.
Amorim decided to drop both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, who have been rather inconsistent, for the derby against Pep Guardiola’s men and still managed to come away with a positive result and all three points on offer.
Amorim’s compatriot Diogo Dalot added that the head coach has brought a sense of resilience to the club and has harnessed the fighting spirit associated with United.
“If you want to succeed at this club you have to suffer and if you’re ready to do that with us, we’re going to be a good team,” he said.
“If you’re not, there’s no space for you,” the full-back added.
United are yet to win a PL crown since the departure of former manager Sir Alex Ferguson all the way back in the year 2013. Dalot acknowledged that the coveted piece of silverware could take some time to clinch yet, but appreciated the direction United are headed in with Amorim at the centre of it all.
“But the reality is this is step by step,” he said.
“With the new manager we are making progress and if you want to analyse, you should analyse, we are taking very good steps towards where we want to go, but it will take time,” Dalot added.
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