Maguire vows Man Utd will improve 'an awful lot'
Harry Maguire is certain Manchester United will improve "an awful lot" after its first pre-season under Ruben Amorim, though his immediate focus is on Europa League glory.
United faces Tottenham in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Thursday, with both teams looking to salvage silverware – and Champions League qualification – from awful campaigns.
United and Spurs are 16th and 17th, respectively, in the Premier League table, both on course for their worst top-flight finishes since the 1970s.
However, both have been different propositions in Europe. United is the only unbeaten side in major UEFA competitions this season, winning nine and drawing five of its 14 Europa League games.
The Red Devils could become only the fourth side to win the Europa League without losing a single match that campaign, after Chelsea in 2018-2019, Villarreal in 2020-2021 and Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021-2022.
Maguire – who scored a last-gasp header to decide the most dramatic tie of United's run, against Lyon in the last eight – believes his club is on the right track.
"Of course it is a frustration. When you play for this club, you want to win every football match and this season we have been far too inconsistent," he said.
"We haven't won enough; in the Premier League it's not been good enough. Europa League has been different, we have performed at a high level and we have proven that we can beat anybody.
"I am sure next season we will improve an awful amount, after a full pre-season. As players we are all looking forward to that, but we have got a big game tomorrow night, first and foremost.
"It's a special night, a special occasion. We have prepared well the last few days and it's one that we are looking forward to."
This will be United's ninth major European final, with only Liverpool (15) reaching more among English clubs.
The Red Devils have failed to win three of their last four such finals, against Barcelona in the Champions League in 2008-2009 and 2010-2011, and Villarreal in the 2020-2021 Europa League.
Maguire was an unused substitute when United lost that latter final under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but he is proud of fighting his way back into the reckoning after a difficult few years.
"It's amazing to be back in the team and playing regularly," the defender said. "This season I have played a lot of football.
"I don't take too much notice of the pundits or the media, things like that. When you play for this club, you can be an amazing player and the following week you can be the villain.
"That's part and parcel of playing for this club. I don't read too much into it. I try and stay as level as I can. Every game I go into it and try my best, and that's all you can do."
