England international Harry Maguire has offered a candid assessment of Manchester United's recent 4-2 defeat to AC Milan, describing the match as the team's worst performance of the entire pre-season period. Speaking to the media, the defender acknowledged that the squad struggled to match the tempo set by the Italian side, ultimately conceding that AC Milan were the deserved winners.
Reflecting on the challenges of the match, Maguire highlighted the difficult conditions, noting that temperatures reached approximately 34 to 35 degrees. He admitted that the intensity of the game felt flat and that the team was far too passive throughout the contest. Despite the disappointing result, Maguire emphasized that the primary goal of the fixture was to build fitness ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.
The defender expressed confidence in the team's readiness for the season, noting that the squad finished the match injury-free and gained valuable minutes. He suggested that some players may have been cautious during the game to ensure they remained fit for the competitive season ahead. Maguire stressed that there is a full week remaining to analyze the defeat and implement improvements before Manchester United faces newly promoted Hull City in their Premier League opener on Saturday, August 22.
The club faces a demanding season following a challenging period that saw them record only 40 matches during the 2025/26 season. After finishing 15th in the previous campaign, the team missed out on European football and experienced several managerial changes. Ruben Amorim departed in January, followed by a brief interim spell under Darren Fletcher, before Michael Carrick helped guide the team to a third-place finish in the Premier League table.
