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Roy Keane claims Harry Maguire is playing for his future not just as captain but as a Manchester United player.

The Red Devils captain has endured a tough old season after some poor performances both collectively and as a whole. Indeed, Keane has been one of his biggest critics with several choice words over his and United’s displays. With six games left in the season, United have a huge battle on their hands to even qualify for the Champions League.

And given the cost of both £80m Maguire and his United teammates, that is simply not good enough.

Indeed, United have conceded 44 goals already  – a tally which already matches last season’s efforts. And as things stand, they are on course for their worst defensive season in 40 years.

Now, ahead of Tuesday night’s crucial clash at Liverpool, Keane has once again roasted the United skipper.

“It’s been a tough season for the team and Harry has not played well enough,” Keane told Sky Sports. “He’s used the word pride and we need to see more of that because you’re going to lose matches. But the way United have lost some matches this year they’ve not shown enough pride.

Defender urged to raise his game

“It’s been hard for Harry Maguire. When you’re trying to lead a group, and it looks like they’re not a great group, they don’t look like they’ve got real fight and desire when things are going against them. That’s why you fear for them tonight if they concede the first goal.”

Reports have suggested Maguire faces the axe as Manchester United captain with incoming boss Erik ten Hag reportedly ready to make the call.

Discussing Maguire’s future, Keane has challenged the England man to raise his game.

“Is Harry playing for his future? He’s got to do better himself,” Keane added. “If you want to be a decent captain you’ve got to be at the top of your game and you hope the rest of them follow. He’s not been good enough and the team haven’t been good enough.”

Harry Maguire knows it’s not been good enough

Maguire himself has at least fronted up to his and the Manchester United failings.

In an interview with Sky Sports prior to the match, he admits they have let themselves down this season.

“It’s not been good enough, there’s been far too many games when we’ve not performed well enough,” he began. “We are where we are in the league because we deserve to be.

“If I could put my finger on why that is, we’d of course sort it out and improve it. I think the big thing is the balance of the team. There’s been times when we’ve struggled to score goals and times when we’ve struggled to stop conceding goals.”

Asked how many times he’s left the field this season feeling both he and the team have played well, Maguire offered an honest reply.

“Not enough for sure! I look at myself individually, but it’s also a collective. We have a lot of good individuals at this football club. But good players don’t make a good team and this season’s proved that.”

Looking at himself, he added: “I know I’ve had some bad games. But I wouldn’t have played as many games as I have in this starting XI if I was having so many bad games.”

Ralf Rangnick, meanwhile, has provided an update on the futures of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata. All three players become free agents in a matter of weeks.

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