Harry Maguire has admitted Manchester United deserve criticism for their poor performance this season, but has dismissed rumors of dressing room discord.
Ralph Rangnick suffered his first loss as interim manager against Wolves last week, following reports of unrest among players.
Maguire said United – seventh in the Premier League – should do better as they prepare for their third-round FA Cup match against Aston Villa on Monday.
In an interview published on the club’s website, Maguire said: “I have clearly seen a lot of criticism and a lot of it is absolutely justified, but for me, with this team, criticism should not be needed to motivate the players. “
“We all have to take as much responsibility, ourselves as captain, as someone else, if not more,” he said.
“We have to play well and start winning…. This team finished second last year and this year we have a better and bigger team, so we have to show the right attitude.”
Maguire dismissed suggestions of disharmony among the players, but acknowledged that keeping all members of a large squad happy was difficult.
“We are all furious and want to do our best,” said the England defender, who has probably come out on the pitch several times, but the team spirit is good, regardless of what people say.
“Being a professional footballer, you have to take criticism on the chin and react well to it. At the same time, you sometimes have to ignore outside noise and just put your head down (in training).”
The former Leicester defender said: “I came here to win the title. I could have signed elsewhere, but I wanted to stay at United and help them get back into the club’s winning ways in the Sir Alex (Ferguson) era Wanted to have.
“If we all stay together it will come. I grew up watching the likes of Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic – and I want to reiterate what they’ve achieved.”
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