Harry Maguire challenged Manchester United to tighten up at the back after relying on another late comeback to win in the Champions League.
Atalanta led 2-0 at half-time at Old Trafford on Wednesday night before Marcus Rashford’s strike and Maguire’s first goal in the competition levelled the score.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s header sent the Red Devils into raptures but the result was quickly described by pundits such as Paul Scholes as papering over the cracks. Speaking to BT Sport, Maguire admitted the season total of one clean sheet needed to improve.
“That’s not good enough for this club, we’re working hard to be a lot more solid,” said the defender. “But it’s about winning football matches.
“We’ve conceded far too many goals from set-plays, that’s something we need to sharpen up on as we were really good at the start of the season. But it’s fine margins and we know that’s not good enough.”
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faced mounting pressure on his job ahead of the game and Maguire described the win as a moment of unity across the club.
He added: “At half-time we’re 2-0 down in a big game at Old Trafford in the Champions League - we showed great togetherness in the dressing room at half-time.
“We were clapped off by these fans at half-time, they made a big difference, they gave us that energy and that belief. We got the result that they deserve.”
