Harry Maguire says Manchester United have “no excuses” for underperforming this season, as the club prepares to bounce back from a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
United endured a disastrous season, finishing 15th in the Premier League last season – their lowest top-flight finish since getting relegated in 1974.
They also missed out on their only chance of silverware and Champions League qualification, losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
As a result, Ruben Amorim’s side will feature only in domestic competitions for the upcoming season.
The Red Devils have enjoyed a positive preseason this summer, clinching the Premier League Summer Series after facing Bournemouth, West Ham and Everton.
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They have also secured the services of Premier League-proven commodities in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and are closing in on signing RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
With no European fixtures on the calendar, Maguire believes this season presents a real opportunity to reset.
What did Maguire say?
Maguire, whose United career appears to have come full circle after a troubling period under former manager Erik ten Hag, stressed that with no European competition, United have no excuses for not finding success in the league.
“This season, there are no excuses,” Maguire told MUTV.
“We're going to have a lot of time to prepare for the Premier League games, and we've got to make sure we're ready.
“I just want to be part of a successful team this season. I think last season was a tough season for everyone individually, but also as a team, as a squad, as a club.
“For myself, it's making sure I'm available, I'm fit, I'm ready to go, and give everything I can to this team and this club.”
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2025
Maguire also highlighted the benefits of Amorim’s first full preseason in charge, noting that the team is starting to better understand the tactical demands of the new coaching setup.
“It's something that [Amorim] reiterated, that we didn't have enough time on the training pitch. This pre-season, it's been tough on the legs, but the majority of it has been tactical.
“So, it's nice to do the drills that are tactical rather than running around poles and running around the pitch.
“It's been an enjoyable pre-season, but a pre-season that we've all learnt from. We know the system a lot better, and we've just got to take that into the games now.”
Amorim began to rely on Maguire quite often last season, and the former Leicester City defender repaid his manager’s faith with a string of solid performances at the heart of United’s defense.
In fact, the Daily Mail recently reported that United have also rejected offers from five clubs, three of them Premier League clubs, for Maguire, underlining his importance to Amorim’s plans for the season ahead.
United get their Premier League campaign under way on August 16, hosting Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Manchester United news and related links
- Manchester United are out for ‘revenge’ this season, says defensive star
- Diogo Dalot: Amorim is creating a Man Utd squad that ‘fights for each other’
- Man Utd aiming to win the Premier League this season, says Luke Shaw