HARRY MAGUIRE believes Manchester United should have done better this season despite their injury nightmare.
Under pressure boss Erik ten Hag suffered more than 60 cases of injury or illness during a torrid campaign the Red Devils limping home in eighth place – their lowest ever Prem finish.
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And English defender Maguire is in a race against time to be fit for Saturday's FA Cup final Manchester city after missing the end of the season with a calf problem.
At various stages this season, Maguire's fellow defenders Rafael VaraneLisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Willy Kambwala, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof were all on the sidelines, while Tyrell Malacia didn't feature at all.
Midfielder Mason Mountain has struggled with his fitness since joining from Chelsea for £55million in July, amid injuries Bruno Fernandes, CasemiroScott McTominay, Christian Eriksen, Sofyan Amrabat, Marcus Rashford, Rasmus HojlundAmad Diallo, Antony and Anthony Martial.
Still, Maguire admits missing out on the European spots was a huge disappointment after last season's third-place finish.
And the centre-back will be hoping to end the season on a high by lifting the FA Cup, which would also see the club qualify for the Europa League.
Maguire, 31, said: “It has been a very disappointing season compared to where we were a year ago. Everyone will admit that.
“Obviously we've had a ridiculous number of injuries, a crazy number.
“We didn't deal with it well enough. We should have scored more points than we did.
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“We didn't perform well enough and our performance could have been better.
“It is clear that Europe is something we should strive for.
“It would be a great achievement to win the cup against a team that is playing very well.”
There is a lot of pressure to accept United, Maguire added: “That's what happens when you play for this club.
“If you don't get good results, players are scrutinized and layers are linked to a departure.
“They are sold, put on the transfer list and the manager comes under pressure.
“I've been here for five years now, so I know what's happening.
“The manager is experienced enough to know that this is an essential part of life at this club. I'm sure he can handle that.
“As a team, this season has been a lot tougher than last year.
But it's a long, old career and you're always going to have ups and downs. It is the way you respond to the setbacks that put you under pressure.”
Maguire moved from Leicester to Old Trafford in the summer of 2019 for £85 million.
And he will hope to be fit for Saturday's Wembley final, even if he is unlikely to make the bench until after missing United's last four games.
This is a cup final for Manchester United. I want to be involved. I want to be available to play. The euro never occurred to me.
Harry Maguire
Despite being recorded in Gareth Southgate's 33-man training squad for the European ChampionshipsMaguire only thinks about United.
He added: “The euro is not a priority. I have no intention of saving myself for the euro.
“This is a cup final for Manchester United. I want to be involved. I want to be available to play. The euro hasn't occurred to me.
“I'm doing everything I can to be involved again. Even if I only start training again the day before the competition, I want to be involved.
“It was frustrating to pick up the calf injury in training and I would have liked to finish the season in the Premier League.
“For the cup final I am touch and go. Fingers crossed.”
Saturday's cup final is a repeat of last season's clash between Manchester and Manchester, when City chased back-to-back doubles.
Ilkay Gundogan scored inside 13 seconds for the fastest ever goal in a final, before his second-half winner saw City beat the Red Devils 2-1 on their way to equaling their historic Treble.
Maguire, WOW Hydrate ambassador, said: “It was a painful day.
“We got the Carabao Cup and went into the match full of confidence.
“We played well, but to have to concede so early against the team that was going for the Treble was really bad.
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“We know we can't do that again on Saturday.
“If you give a team like City an advantage in a cup final, you give yourself a very tough task.
“It's hard enough to beat them on a level playing field.
“We didn't have too many chances, but we did have a few to turn half chances into good chances, but that wasn't to be.
“So we are now looking forward to another big event.”
Maguire is also confident Mount will be a success despite making just 19 appearances for United this season.
The defender said: “Mason wanted to come and make a big impression but he has been really unlucky with injuries since his arrival.
“We can see in training that he will be a big player for this club. Every player and staff member knows that.
“I'm sure he's so frustrated that he didn't have the chance to show that to the United fans. But he'll have many more years at this club.”
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