Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Europa League, Harry Maguire, Erik Ten Hag, Aston Villa, Champions League, Football
Ben McCrum
Topics: Manchester United, Europa League, Harry Maguire, Erik Ten Hag, Aston Villa, Champions League, Football
The reaction of Manchester United's changing room to the disappointing 3-3 draw with Porto in the Europa League has been revealed.
United drew their second successive Europa League fixture this season after a competitive clash with Porto ended 3-3.
Despite going 2-0 up in the first half, the Red Devils allowed the hosts to mount a comeback and had to rely upon former captain Harry Maguire's injury time equaliser to take any points away from the match.
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And now, the reaction of United's dressing room to the draw has finally been revealed alongside details of manager Erik ten Hag's post-match speech.
Speaking post-match to TNT Sports, Maguire revealed the details of his teammates reaction to the draw.
He said: "After every match, you analyse and speak amongst yourselves. The manager spoke, a few members of staff spoke and the players spoke as well.
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"It's pretty normal and I've been in plenty of dressing rooms when you have a chat and speak about what you can do better. I think when you go 2-0 up away from home at a place like this you've got to be a little bit more solid and more secure. There were far too many gaps and crosses coming into the box.
"I think in the first half there were five or six dangerous balls coming into the box and they ultimately punished us for it. We played really well with the ball in the first half, just really poorly without it.
"I think it's more the mental issue [conceding in quick succession] and it's something we have to overcome. It probably starts with belief. When we go 2-0 up and concede, does the belief go a little bit between the boys that we can go on and win the game here? So it's something we need to be aware of.
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"We need to make sure when we do concede, we get together and regroup and stick together because that's part and parcel of football. You can talk about leadership but it's an easy word to throw out.
"The boys on the pitch have to realise that this has happened far too many times and it's something we need to reset, refocus and go back to the game plan that got us the lead in the first place. It's something we must improve. If we want to be successful this season, we can't be conceding two goals in as many minutes as we did this evening."
United's next match is an away trip to face an in-form Aston Villa side who are coming off the back of a shock 1-0 victory over German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League.