United are the biggest club in world and we expect to win EVERY GAME And end 67-game run
Maguire in mood to shock Kop
HARRY MAGUIRE insists he EXPECTS to lead Manchester United to victory at Anfield this afternoon.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are top of the Premier League – and the United captain has no time for anyone doubting their title credentials.
Maguire has warned reigning champions Liverpool that United are “the biggest club in the world”.
And that they are travelling to Merseyside with the intention of ending their hosts’ 67-game unbeaten home record in the top flight.
The belligerent £80million defender said: “Playing for Manchester United and playing with no pressure don’t come in the same sentence.
“We are the biggest club in the world, and whatever anyone says on the outside, we go into every game not only wanting to win, but expected and expecting to win.
“That’s the mentality you have to have in this dressing room – winning at all costs.
“It’s something we have changed round, we’ve made that the environment we’re in now.
“We put more pressure on ourselves – not just to win games, but to win things. We finished third last year and have been to four semi-finals, but we want to improve – and we need to improve.
“Look, we’re not even halfway in the Premier League yet, so we’ve got to keep this level up and improve.
“I have learned so much as captain of this club. First and foremost it’s a massive honour, but I am here to win games and win trophies.
“That’s the mentality I have, the character I have – I joined United to win things.”
The last time the Red Devils were in top spot after the turn of the year was in 2013 – and they went on to win the title.
When they kicked off the current campaign with home defeats to
Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Arsenal, it had seemed that Solskjaer was on borrowed time. A Champions League exit at the group stage, and another Carabao Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Manchester City were huge setbacks. But come-from-behind victories at Brighton, Newcastle, Everton, Southampton, West Ham and Sheffield United have illustrated exactly the spirit that United will need to show against Jurgen Klopp’s men this afternoon. Maguire said: “Winning builds up the confidence and we now have that winning mentality back in the group. “We’ve shown that spirit in the number of games when we have
come from behind, especially in the away games – you’ve seen our record, the number of matches when we have conceded and then turned it around.
“That shows a lot of character. As a defender, I’d sooner not be going behind as often, obviously.
“And that’s something we have to improve, because if you keep on doing that there will clearly be a couple when you’re found out, and can’t turn it around.
“That’s what happened in the Champions League against Leipzig.
“But I do feel we’ve tightened up a lot since then.
“Look at the Burnley game in midweek. We limited their chances, and knew we could score at any moment from anywhere.”
Maguire has immersed himself in United’s history since joining the club from Leicester 18 months ago and when Solskjaer handed him the captain’s armband, he turned to Old Trafford legend Bryan Robson (left) for advice.
Maguire added: “The players will be having a long conversation before kick-off.
“I’ll keep my message to them to myself until then, but it’s not a battle speech – it’s about your mentality.
“Of course it will be tough to go to Liverpool and get a result, it’s never going to be anything else. But we’re confident. We are Manchester United.
“And we know we can win any game, whoever we play.” TOP MAN Paul Pogba celebrates his winner at Burnley