Harry Maguire has admitted that Manchester United are letting their fans down.
The United captain has issued a passionate rallying call ahead of the FA Cup clash with Aston Villa by telling his teammates they must carry the can for the crisis at Old Trafford.
Maguire has revealed that he has held crisis talks with interim boss Ralf Rangnick - and his underperforming teammates.
He is adamant that the buck stops with the squad that Rangnick inherited from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last month.
Maguire said: “The most important thing for us is the fans. We are letting them down. The support at Old Trafford and at away games is still unbelievable. United have a history of coming out fighting - and that’s exactly what we will do. We have to!
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“This team finished second last year and we now have a bigger and better squad, so we have to show the right attitude. We’ve got big players in the team - leaders. I’m sick of repeating myself, but it can’t continue like this. We need to go on a proper run, starting Monday.
“I’m the captain and leader in the dressing room. I’ve had private conversations with the players and the management - and they will remain private. But make no mistake about it, I’m here for the fight - and I know my team-mates are.
“I expect them to be - and if they’re not then there’s something wrong.”
Maguire accepts that the vitriol that has rained down on the players in the aftermath of a midweek home defeat against Wolves that left United in seventh place in the Premier League is justified.
Maguire said: “I’ve seen a lot of criticism - and a lot of it is absolutely correct. For me, this team shouldn’t need criticism to motivate the players. If players of this quality aren’t motivated to play for this club when they pull on the shirt, then there’s something wrong.
“What the fans and ex-players have said, we get it. As I say, a lot of it is justified and we all have to take massive responsibility. We are all angry. We want to do our best - which has probably come across on the pitch at times.
"But the team spirit is good, despite what people say. Being a professional footballer, you have to take criticism on the chin and react well to it. We know that if we can put together a run of results then everything else takes care of itself.”
Maguire believes the spirit of Sir Alex Ferguson can drag United out of their current malaise.
Ferguson was a master at bringing a siege mentality to the Old Trafford dressing room.
Maguire said: “Sometimes it can be good to have the 'us against the world' mentality. I know a lot was written about Sir Alex Ferguson’s teams and the way he used to spur his players on. We’ve got to get our heads down and do better, no matter what is thrown our way because other clubs have the same problems as us.”
Maguire accepts the pressure is on him as captain to help lift the gloom.
He added: “I came here to win titles. I could have signed elsewhere, but I wanted to be at United and help them get back to the winning ways that the club had in the Sir Alex era.
“It will come if we all stay together. I grew up idolising the likes of Wayne (Rooney), Rio (Ferdinand) and (Nemanja) Vidic and I want to repeat what they achieved. I am privileged to be captain and I’ve got a responsibility to lead the players and turn things around.
“We haven’t won the FA Cup enough in recent years. Wayne (Rooney) lifted it last. We’ve got the players to do it. Absolutely. We’ve been in so many semis and the Europa final last year. We just need to get that one trophy and kick on again.”
