Harry Maguire says Manchester United 'really need to improve' when facing teams below them in the Premier League.
United have achieved impressive wins against Chelsea, Leicester, Tottenham and Man City this season but have struggled when facing more defensive opposition.
In fact, United have taken just 12 points from their 12 meetings against sides currently below them in the Premier League table.
United's next four league matches come against opponents currently below them in the top-flight, and Maguire acknowledges improvement will be needed from his side.
"We know there have been games where we just haven’t been good enough against teams from the bottom half of the table,” he told The Mirror.
“We can’t put our finger on one reason why that is.
“In games against top-half teams we have been brilliant, but against the rest we really need to improve.
“It is something we are working on. It is hard to break down teams who play with a low block and it’s something we will improve on.
“But, yes, we need to win those kinds of games. I have always said that to be successful you have to defeat the teams you are expected to beat.
“It has been tricky winning games where the pressure is all on us to attack and force the issue.
“But to get where we want to be you have to rack up the points against the teams below you – and then beating other clubs in the top six becomes a bonus.”
