Harry Maguire says Manchester United must improve set-piece defending after Leeds draw

Harry Maguire said Manchester United failed to get the “basics” right after another set-piece goal cost them victory in a 1-1 Premier League draw with Leeds United at Elland Road.

United led at half-time but were pegged back only five minutes into the second half when Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed in from a corner. The goal allowed Leeds to claim a share of the points and highlighted United’s continuing problems when defending dead-ball situations.

Carlos Baleba had been responsible for marking Calvert-Lewin, but the Leeds striker escaped his attention before rising to score.

The result was especially frustrating for Maguire because United have already conceded a significant number of set-piece goals this season. They have allowed the joint-third-highest total in the Premier League.

Both goals in their 2-0 defeat by Hull City on the opening day also came from set plays.

“We got ourselves in a great situation at half-time, and we’ve been done by a set play, a corner,” Maguire told MUTV.

“When you come to these grounds and you come to these away games, you’ve got to do the basics well.

“And the basics is defending set plays. And you see at Hull, we got beat there against all with set plays and then today we felt comfortable in the game. We didn’t give them much at all and then the set play changes the whole game.”

Leeds gained momentum after equalising, although Maguire felt Manchester United handled the pressure that followed.

“They had momentum. I felt like we weathered the storm really well for 15, 20 minutes. We had to dig in. Our togetherness, our fight, our spirit was there,” he said.

“Can we be better? Of course we can. We can show a little bit more quality, especially with the ball.”

Maguire also said the club’s immediate priority was to turn competitive performances into victories.

“I think we showed great fight, great spirit, great togetherness. But we have got to start winning football matches soon, and that’s what Manchester United demands, and that’s what us players demand,” he added.

“We got ourselves in a great position, and yeah, it was disappointing to concede that goal so early in the second half. It gave the crowd a big lift, great momentum. We had to weather the storm, like I said.

“I also think we can be better than that. We can play better with the ball, we can show a little bit more composure and bravery.”

Despite the disappointment, Maguire believed the draw was a fair outcome after Leeds’ response following the equaliser.

“But listen, I felt like the fight, the spirit, the togetherness, all those words you can throw at us was there today, and it was a good battle. I think in the end, a point is probably a fair result.”