Harry Maguire has vowed that Manchester United's players will give the supporters a "team to be proud of" this season ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion.
United, who were thrashed 4-0 by the Seagulls in their most recent meeting back in May at the Amex Stadium, will be looking to make a winning start to the Erik ten Hag era when the two sides go toe-to-toe at Old Trafford. Maguire and his teammates will be going all out to make up for last season's woes.
The Reds finished a very disappointing sixth in the Premier League last term, and a summer of change and transformation has taken place under Ten Hag. The Dutchman, brought from Ajax, has made it his mission to improve United's style of play and restore their identity.
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Although United completed their pre-season schedule with three games without a win, there was a lot to like about most of United's performances in their six friendlies, giving supporters renewed hope and optimism ahead of the new campaign. And Maguire - who has the individual challenge of trying to get the fans back on-side - has promised that he and his team-mates will be doing all they can to make them proud again.
"I think fight and, first and foremost, hard work," said Maguire, when asked what can be expected of the team this season. "Running and fighting for the badge to give the fans excitement and also a team to be proud of."
Although United have aspirations of improving on last season's sixth-placed finish, they are not expected to be in the conversation for the title, given the quality of the teams ahead of them. But United dropped points against teams lower down the table last year and must improve in that regard this season, as Maguire said.
Maguire continued: "I think it's [the Premier League] the best in the world. The best managers in the world, the best players in the world, I believe.
"And the competition as well, from the bottom to the top is fierce. It's tense. No game is an easy game.
"You know you've got to be on your game. If you come off it, five or 10 per cent, you get punished. And that is the Premier League."
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