Harry Maguire says Manchester United ‘fully expect’ to progress with RB Leipzig result in Champions League
Red Devils cannot afford to lose to their German opposition on Tuesday…
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Harry Maguire has said he expects Manchester United to prove their mettle and advance to the knockout stages of the Champions League when they take on RB Leipzig on Tuesday.
Group H has gone down to the final gameweek, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side level on nine points with Leipzig and last season's finalists Paris Saint-Germain.
United will secure their spot in the last 16 if they avoid defeat by Leipzig, but a return to Europa League action awaits in 2021 if they falter against the team they thrashed 5-0 at Old Trafford in October.
Asked if it was unacceptable for a club of such stature to fail to get out of the group, United captain Maguire said: "Well, of course we expect to go through in the group.
READ MORE: The madness of Manchester United
"Whatever teams you put in our group, any four teams, we expect to go through. We expect to go into every game and win the game - that's the tradition and that's what the club does.
"I think, as a group of players especially, we fully expect to get out of the group. We took it to the last game. We're in a good position, we're confident and we look forward to the game.
United rarely do things the easy way – as manager Solskjaer knows better than most – but so often down the years they have prevailed.
Maguire relishes such high-pressure games and takes belief from July's crucial win at Leicester that sealed qualification for this Champions League campaign.
"First and foremost, I joined this club to play in the biggest games possible," the world's most expensive defender said.
"Your big players step up in the most pressured games, so for sure I think that's a statement which shows over the years, that the big players step up in the big games.
READ MORE: Champions League standings and fixtures by date
"It's a bit similar to the game at Leicester last year where we had to get a result to reach the Champions League and we managed to do that, so we'll take confidence from that.
"But we feel ready, we feel prepared and we're looking forward to it."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments