)
Harry Maguire and David de Gea speak following Manchester United's 2-0 win over Leeds.
Harry Maguire was in high spirits while speaking about his Manchester United team following their victory over Leeds United.
The 2-0 win against Leeds took Manchester United to second on the table temporarily, as Manchester City could reclaim the spot with a victory over Unai Emery's Aston Villa.
Manchester United up to second
The first-half was a drab fest, with neither team getting clear-cut chances to score. Erik ten Hag made substitutions, resulting in a change in the proceedings. Marcus Rashford put the visitors ahead in the 80th minute of the game when he connected with a Luke Shaw cross. Garnacho scored on a Weghorst assist in the 85th minute to make it 2-0.
)
It was Manchester United's sixth consecutive game without tasting defeat in all competitions, and Maguire, the captain of Manchester United, acknowledged that they had to dig deep for the win.
The England international defender, who, despite being captain of the team, has been sparingly involved, explained that he put the team ahead of himself and would be ready whenever he was called upon, as he was today.
"Winning the game is the most important, I'm captain of the team, and I put the team miles before myself,” Maguire told Sky Sports, per the BBC.
)
“Whether I'm playing or not, I want the team to win and be so it's been a good season up until now, still a lot of improvement and the big games, but it's nice to come here, get a clean sheet and a victory and it's a good one for the fans.
"We know coming to Elland Road is going to be a tough place. There's going to be times where they have a little bit of momentum, and it came early in both halves.
"We had to dig in the second half as well but we focused, we knew that our quality would come through so we knew that we had to battle and fight for every ball and keep the ball out of our net.
"It's credit to the lads and their spirit. We know how important this victory is to our fans, having not got it in the week. We were disappointed, and we knew today was about revenge and we got that."
Milestone man David de Gea
The game against Leeds is David de Gea's 400th game for Manchester United in the Premier League, and the Spanish shot-stopper revealed that he was not thinking about it as winning the match was more important.
)
De Gea, whose primary job is to prevent the opposition from breaching the goal line explained that he knew they needed to keep a clean sheet to win the game, and they did.
The 32-year-old also pointed out that although Maguire has had limited involvements this season, he came in and did the job he had to do.
"You saw how much it meant at the end of the game. The fans, the players. We deserved to win at home but today we did. Great game, we knew if we could keep a clean sheet we would win the game so we did it.
We fought until the end like a team. Players like Harry [Maguire], he has not been playing as much as he can. He played today and he played fantastic so that means that the team is playing strong.
De Gea on reaching 400 Premier League appearances: "Today wasn't about that, it was about winning the game, and we did it, so now I can enjoy the 400 Premier League games. It's great to come here, play like we did today. Clean sheet, three massive points and 400 games perfect day."
Manchester United will now prepare to face Barcelona in the Europa League knockout play-off on Thursday.
Related content
)
17:04 - 12.02.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Rashford and Garnacho strike late to give Manchester United comfortable win
Rashford continues his incredible scoring form with another goal to help Manchester United to victory over Leeds
)
14:54 - 12.02.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Leeds United vs Manchester United as it happened
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Premier League fixture between Leeds United vs Manchester United. I am your host for today, join me as we experience the second meeting between this historic rivals in less than a week.
)
09:13 - 12.02.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Steven Gerrard interested in becoming Leeds United manager
Former Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is thought to be interested in a return to management, and has reportedly picked Leeds United as his next destination.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)