Harry Maguire speaks out on Erik ten Hag speculation as Manchester United star reveals the one problem holding under-performing side back after last-gasp header against Porto
Harry Maguire gave short shrift to a question about Erik ten Hag’s future after his last-minute header rescued a point for the Red Devils in Porto.
United embattled boss came into the fixture knowing anything but a win could spell the end of his tenure and his team responded with a scintillating 20 minutes at the Estadio do Dragao.
Goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund put the visitors in a commanding position but the sides would go in level at the break before Porto took the lead just minutes after played had resumed.
United’s blushes were spared by their former – after their current skipper was shown a red card for the second time in as many games – who rose highest to nod in a 91st-minute equaliser.
And after the thrilling clash, Maguire was not interested in entertaining talk on his manager’s precarious position in the United dugout.
Harry Maguire scored a late header to rescue a draw for Manchester United against Porto
The defender’s equaliser came after the Red Devils relinquished a two-goal advantage and had gone down to 10 men
Erik ten Hag staved off an onslaught of unwanted headlines thanks to the draw on Thursday night
‘To be honest I’ve played for this club six years so I know how it work.’ He told TNT Sports. ‘The manager’s experienced enough that he’s learnt how to deal with it.’
Despite their reprieve, there will still be some concern over the manner of United’s collapse in the first half and their start in the second. Thursday night’s result saw the Red Devils concede three or more goals in a game for the 24th time under Ten Hag.
Additionally, Porto’s quick-fire double mirrored rapid concessions against Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and Copenhagen in the Champions League last term.
Maguire added: ‘ After every game you analyse. We spoke about things we can do better. When you’re 2-0 up away from up you have to be a bit more secure. There were too many gaps. They punished us for it. We played really well with the ball in the first half but were poor without it.
‘It’s more the mental issue. It’s something we’ve got to overcome. When you go 2-0 up and concede does the belief go a little bit? We need to make sure when we do concede that we regroup and stick together.
The Red Devils travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday
‘You can talk about leadership, it’s an easy word to throw out. If we want to be successful we can’t be conceding two goals in as many minutes as we have done.’
The second fixture in Ten Hag’s do-or-die-double takes them to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon, where they will face the unenviable task of trying to topple Unai Emery’s side, buoyed by their famous win over Bayern.
