Manchester United tour diary: Harry Maguire admits last season was not good enough

Harry Maguire says he is determined to put last season’s horror show behind him after admitting his Manchester United career suffered a setback.

Maguire’s form nosedived as United slumped to their worst -ever Premier League campaign and new manager Erik ten Hag has sought to bolster the defence with Argentina centre-half Lisandro Martinez on the verge of signing from Ajax for £46 million.

Despite questions over whether Maguire would remain as United captain amid severe criticism of his performances, Erik ten Hag has continued to entrust the England defender with the armband. And Maguire has vowed to do everything to try to return United to winning ways after five consecutive years with a trophy. 

“Listen, last year was disappointing, as an individual I didn’t play well and as team we certainly didn’t play well,” Maguire told fans at a Q&A event on United’s pre-season tour in Melbourne.

“But a good career can last 10 to 15 years and you’re never going to have every year where it’s plain sailing and you don’t have any difficulties. You’re going to have to fight, you’re going to have set backs and last year was certainly a set back for myself on my career path.

“But it’s behind us now and we look forward to the future and getting this club back to winning trophies, which is what it’s all about.”

Maguire made his first appearance under Ten Hag in a 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory at the MCG on Friday but was one of those at fault when United conceded after just four minutes, with the manager admitting the team collapsed “like a pack of cards” for the goal.

Nonetheless, United have made an otherwise encouraging start under Ten Hag, who oversaw a 4-0 win in his first game against Liverpool, and Maguire is excited by what he has seen so far from the Dutchman. 

“It’s been tough. The running has been hard but we’re really looking forward to season,” he said. “Everyone - the players, the club - know last year was nowhere near good enough but it’s a fresh start and we’ve got a big season ahead.

“Erik and his coaching staff are bringing their ideas and the first two games you’ve seen little glimpses of the principals. We’re working towards being ready for that first Premier League game [against Brighton], that’s what matters. Everything we’re doing now is building for that first game.”

Martinez flew into Manchester on Friday night ahead of a medical with United, who will announce the deal once a visa has been approved.

The Argentine is due to sign a five-year contract worth just over £120,000-a-week but there has been another twist in United’s protracted pursuit of Frenkie de Jong with Barcelona naming the Holland midfielder in their squad for their pre-season tour of the US.

United have agreed a £72m deal with Barcelona for De Jong but a move has been held up by the £17m the player is owed in deferred wages by the Catalan club, whom he is reluctant to leave.

Cristiano Ronaldo is still hoping to quit United this summer but Bayern Munich have reiterated that they will not be moving for the unsettled Portugal star. “I have a lot of respect for Cristiano Ronaldo, his successes and his career, but once again: that [a transfer] was and is not a topic for us,” said Bayern’s sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic.

Meanwhile, James Garner has revealed that he is due to return to training on Monday after missing United’s first two pre-season games with an injury he picked up on the first day of the tour.

Ten Hag wants to run the rule over the England Under-21 midfielder before deciding whether to keep him at Old Trafford or loan him out after his successful spell at Nottingham Forest last season.

Around 3,000 fans flocked to Melbourne’s famous Federation Square on Saturday to watch Manchester United’s stars launch the club’s new away kit.

Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay unveiled the new Adidas white strip amid much fanfare.

The United players had arrived at the venue, complete with camera crew, club staff and security guards, on a tram decked out in United’s traditional colours of red, white and black which had made the 12 minute journey from the five-star W hotel, where the squad are staying in Melbourne.

In keeping with the theatrics, the stage had been turned into a replica of a dressing room, complete with kit, boots and drinks bottle but with the whole set upside down in a nod to United being “down under” in Australia.

Australian TV presenter and former rugby league player Beau Ryan proved a popular and good natured host, with players all smiling when he jokingly asked how they had managed to concede to Melbourne Victory in the previous night’s 4-1 victory over the A-League side at the iconic MCG.

United legends Bryan Robson and Andy Cole, both of whom are club ambassadors, were also at the launch along with former kitman Albert Morgan.

The new away strips is said to take inspiration from United’s classic white kit and features red and black Adidas three stripes and a v-neck with geometric shapes. The helix pattern, which is weaved into the fabric of the shirt, is there to represent the three pillars of the club’s philosophy: youth, courage and success.

Fans will certainly hope to see more of that next season.

United’s non-playing staff were heading for a big night out in the St Kilda’s district of Melbourne on Saturday evening, with everyone at the club given Sunday off. Some will spend it watching local Aussie rules football side Essendon taking on the Gold Coast Suns at the Marvel Stadium and others plan to head to AAMI Park to watch rugby league outfit Melbourne Storm face the Canberra Raiders.