Harry Maguire: It's a building process but we'll be where we want to be

The centre-back beamed on his move but acknowledged that a lot of work still lies ahead for the Red Devils to get back to their past glories.

Manchester United captain and centre-back Harry Maguire said that they are in the right direction in terms of team strength and playing but still have loads of work to do to reinstate the glory days back at Old Trafford. The former Leicester player joined Manchester United in a world-record deal for a defender when the Red Devils paid £80m for his services, eclipsing the previous record set by Liverpool FC when they paid £75m for Virgil Van Dijk.

Since his arrival, the defender has faced some turbulent times courtesy of Manchester United's fluctuating results but understands it to be the process required as the team is still looking to get out of the process of transition.

Speaking to Sky Sports' "The Football Show," Maguire replied, "I think you can see from the start of the season we look a lot more like a team, we can probably see where we want to go, where we want to head. I knew when I first came to Manchester United that Ole said to me loads and loads it's a building process but we'll be where we want to be. I can see where we're heading and the style he wants to implement on the team."

"Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of aspects we need to improve to get to the top of where we want to be. We don't want to be challenging for this Champions League spot, we want to be challenging for titles. We know there's still a lot of improvement to get there, but we're on the right track and I'm sure eventually we will get there," said Maguire reassuringly about the tasks that lay ahead for the Red Devils and their aspirations to get back into the big time.

United have turned a corner over the past 10 games, winning eight and drawing twice, keeping eight clean sheets before the coronavirus pandemic ceased football activities which show improvement in the defensive sector. When asked for reasons, Maguire attributed it to the increased competition for places in the department and the quality it brings out in the squad.

"We've gelled together, it's a new back four. Luke [Shaw] has been playing really, really well of late. We've got Aaron [Wan-Bissaka], me and Vic (Victor Lindelof). Eric [Bailly] is coming back and is pushing for a place, which makes everyone up to their games because when he's come in he's done really well. We've got a settled back four and we're just learning each other's games really well," said Maguire.

When asked about the thoughts behind his move to Manchester, Maguire felt it was the best decision and despite having gone through some ups and downs feels that United are in the right track to get back to their usual winning ways despite reiterating that there is still a lot of work remaining to be done.

"Yeah, definitely. It's such a big club, an iconic club that as soon as I knew Man United were interested I was champing at the bit to get there. As soon as I came to the club, just the way the club is run, I was so happy at the decision. Like I said there's so much work to do, I'm not saying that we're there yet, but if we keep improving like we have this season, and I'm sure next season will be better than this season and so on, and we'll build and try and reach our goals," said a beaming Maguire.

Harry Maguire also venerated the incoming of Bruno Fernandes who has been a breath of fresh air for Manchester United since his arrival in January. He won the Premier League Player of the Month in his first month in the Premier League and has given fresh hope to the United cause. Maguire mentioned that his off-pitch qualities have translated well on to the pitch and are of great benefit to the players.

Talking about Bruno, Maguire said "He's been brilliant since he's come in, off the field around the training ground, he's a leader and wants to win, everything he does he wants to win, you can tell he's been brought up with that attitude. He's just given us that little bit more life and creativity in the middle, something you (Neville) and United fans have said we've missed over the years."

"We've got Paul [Pogba] to come back as well, who I'm sure will probably make himself lift his game even more. We have a lot of competition in central midfield now, they know they have to be on their game to keep their spot, so I'm sure we'll see the benefit," said Maguire making the potential match-up of Bruno and Pogba sound very exciting for United supporters.

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