HARRY MAGUIRE told his team-mates to deal with the pressure of playing for Manchester United — just like David Beckham and Wayne Rooney.
The Red Devils are feeling the heat amid a woeful run of two wins in their last eight matches.
GettyHarry Maguire has urged Man Utd teammates to emulate some club legends[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationWayne Rooney was cited by Maguire as being an example of a shining light amid scrutiny[/caption]
David Beckham also gave his all for the clubReuters
United have also suffered four defeats in their last five games at Old Trafford.
Yet Maguire called on Ruben Amorim’s side to step up like Rooney and Becks — starting against Rangers tonight in the Europa League.
The pair, both England captains during their careers, suffered plenty of stick for club and country but never hid as they became greats.
Maguire said: “I look at the likes of Wayne Rooney and David Beckham. They had a large amount of scrutiny on them and were world-class players.
“If it can happen to them, it can happen to anybody. It’s just part and parcel of playing for this club — it’s a huge honour.
“When you’re playing for this club, there’s a lot of scrutiny on the players and you get targeted.
“You’ve got to take the responsibility on. We have players who have played numerous games internationally and also won lots of trophies.
“But we’re just not playing well enough as a team at the moment.
“I can only keep going on about it. We’ve got to take responsibility.”
Fellow defender Matthijs de Ligt played for Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich.
And the Dutchman reckons the heat is hotter at United than at any other club.
But former skipper Maguire added: “We must stop looking for excuses.”
Victory for United would boost their hopes of sealing a last-16 Europa League spot.
Maguire was axed as captain by ex-boss Erik ten Hag but battled his way back into the first team.
Joshua Zirkzee has been made a scapegoat by some United fans but Maguire added: “Josh’s a good player.
“You have just got to bring that belief and confidence out in yourself.”
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