Harry Maguire prepared for 'tough challenge' against Leicester
By Tom Gott
Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire is expecting a tough test when his side travel to face his former employers Leicester City on Boxing Day.
It's one of the most mouth-watering ties on the schedule as it will pit the second-placed Foxes against third-placed United, who can leapfrog their opponents with a victory at the King Power Stadium.
? Coming up on Boxing Day...#LEIMUN ? pic.twitter.com/0huBycJCiE
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 25, 2020
Both sides enter the game in exciting form, and Maguire told United's official website that he is looking forward to the battle coming his way.
“They’ve started really well, like they did last season,” Maguire said. “They’re a great team with great players and a great manager.
“I fully expected them to be up there challenging again for the top four. They had a great result against Spurs, I expected them to go there and get a result. Tactically they’re very good and it will be a tough challenge, but it’s one we’re looking forward to and one we go into with confidence.”
The two sides haven't met since the final day of the 2019/20 season, in which United picked up a 2-0 win to qualify for the Champions League at Leicester's expense, and Maguire called on his side to enter Saturday's game in the same mindset.
“Last season it was a massive game, a cup final,” he continued. “We needed to get a result there and we managed to do that, and we need to treat this game on Boxing Day as we did the game last season.
“That’s how every game should be, we can’t be dropping points. We want to go there, be positive and win the game. But for sure we know it will be a tough game because they’re a top team.
? Delivering the goods on our last visit to Leicester ?#MUFC @JesseLingard pic.twitter.com/tlGmgpGqsg
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 25, 2020
“It’s just important to keep winning and looking after your own points tally. You can get ahead of yourself in terms of looking at other people’s results and you just need to look after yourself.
“If you keep winning games and putting three points on the table then you’ll be there or thereabouts. We’re not getting carried as I said. We had a big win [against Leeds] but there is lots of improvement. We need to make sure we’re challenging at the end of the season. That’s what we’ve got to aim for.”