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Liverpool v United preview
HARRY Maguire has put his impressive partnership with Eric Bailly at the heart of the United defence down to the competition for places in the squad.
The duo have started five of United’s past seven games in all competition, keeping three clean sheets in the process, and they have complemented each other well.
Maguire has hailed the form of Bailly but said the collective unit at United was key to the form the pair were showing together.
“With Eric, he’s back and playing really well since he’s been free of injury and we have formed a really good partnership. It’s a nice partnership that has blossomed over the last month,” he said.
“It’s a great position to be in because we have three top centre-backs, because there’s Victor (Lindelof) as well – and Axel Tuanzebe is pushing as well. That can only push you to perform even better.”
Bailly and Maguire both have the ability to put their head where it hurts and there have been times during their partnership that they have shown a desire to do the dirty work involved in defending.
Maguire puts that down to his grounding in the Football League with Sheffield United and he insists the basics must come first, before any attempt to become better with the ball.
He added: “As a centre-back the first thing you have to do is really love defending. I played in League One, so you’re learning about heading, blocking, tackling and the rest in a really tough environment.
“That teaches you to be tough. The main thing isn’t about stepping out from the back and knocking long diagonal balls to people – it’s about keeping the ball out of your own net.”