WE’LL BE BACK

Maguire warns Reds not to sulk if they are to relaunch title bid at Arsenal

HARRY MAGUIRE says Manchester United’s players cannot afford to sulk and must get their title push back on track at Arsenal tomorrow.

United’s 13-match unbeaten Premier League run came to an end with Wednesday’s shock 2-1 defeat at home to bottom club Sheffield United.

Defeat prevented United from going back to the top of the table, with local rivals Manchester City now a point clear with a game in hand.

Skipper Maguire admitted United did not deserve anything from the game, but said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s players must regroup fast.

“Not good enough,” said Maguire. “We didn’t perform to a level we’ve been playing at.

“But when you do get a defeat, there’s nothing worse than waiting to get back out on the pitch to put things right.

“We’ve got to pick ourselves up. We are disappointed and it hurt, but this is a big game and we must bounce back. It’s all good when you’re winning football matches and playing well, but now it’s time to stand up and be counted.

“When you get kicked down, it’s how quickly you bounce back and we must get the three points.” United’s defeat exposed weaknesses, despite their progress this season.

Solskjaer made unnecessary changes to his starting line-up, particularly in defence, believing he could get away with it against the lowly Blades.

But defeat showed his squad lacks the depth of quality for such changes, while up front the decision to play Anthony Martial ahead of Edinson Cavani was another error.

United missed his pressing and work ethic in attack, with Martial failing to show those qualities and losing possession in the move that led to the winner. The midfield, without Scott McTominay and Fred, both of whom are likely to be recalled tomorrow, lacked energy.

David De Gea’s mistakes for both goals endorsed Dean Henderson’s case to be given a run, but Solskjaer is unlikely to make such a big call.

De Gea, speaking before United’s defeat, admitted there is little margin for error this season, in words that may come back to haunt him.

“You cannot make mistakes,” said De Gea. “You have to be 100 per cent in every game.

“If you have a chance, you have to win. In the Premier League, every game is difficult, it doesn’t matter if it’s the top team or the bottom one.”