Harry Maguire regrets not stopping Alex Iwobi's 'disappointing' winner in Manchester United defeat to Fulham
Harry Maguire admitted he “should have brought down Adama Traore” to stop Fulham's winning goal on Saturday.
The Red Devils suffered a late defeat to the Cottagers at Old Trafford, with Alex Iwobi bury a winning goal in the 97th minute seal a 2-1 victory.
Maguire looked to be the hero of the afternoon heading into added time after canceling out Calvin Bassey's opener with his shot in the 89th minute.
But just eight minutes later, Maguire headed what turned out to be a fatal ball straight into the Fulham replace Traore's path.
The winger then burst from inside his own half, passed the chasing Maguire and reached the edge of the Man United box.
The former Wolves player found an unmarked Iwobi in the box, who fired a shot past Andre Onana to seal three points for the visitors.
After the match, Maguire, who received a yellow card in the first half for a challenge on Sasa Lukic, admitted that he perhaps could have done better to get closer to the Fulham star.
speaking to Manchester United YouTube Channel After the match, the England international said: “Of course, I mean they will bring in a player with fresh legs. He is very lucky with the way the ball falls to him, we know what he is good at.”
“I was also on a reserve, so in hindsight maybe I should have shot it down, but then you miss the next week.
“It's easy to say now, but yes, it's disappointing to lose the game.
2
“The boys gave everything, the reaction when we conceded a goal was brilliant, but maybe we should have started a little quicker in the first half and maybe the second half.”
Despite being stripped of the captain's armband this season and Bruno Fernandes becoming captain, Maguire has been key for Man United this season in the absence of Lisandro Martinez.
The center back has played 23 games this season, scoring two goals and providing two assists in that time.
After Saturday's result, Man United remains sixth, three points behind fifth-place Tottenham, who now have a game less due to Chelsea playing in the Carabao Cup final this weekend.
Maguire and company face off next Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Wednesday, before heading into the Manchester Derby next Sunday.
