MAGUIRE EXCLUSIVE: THE SQUAD IS LOOKING DEEPER

Harry Maguire believes getting players back from injury boosts Manchester United's chances of ultimate glory in the Europa League this season.

Speaking after Sunday’s superb derby win over Manchester City, the captain said the Reds now have enough strength in depth to cope with a busy end to the 2019/20 campaign.

Maguire also previewed tonight's away game against LASK which will, unfortunately, be played behind closed doors, following advice from the Austrian government.

You can watch Harry’s interview with MUTV’s Stewart Gardner below, or scroll down to read the full transcript…

How much of a test is the Thursday-Sunday treadmill at the moment?
“Yeah it is a big test, there is no doubt about it. You get through in the Europa League but you are still a long way away from the final and it is still a lot of games away. It is a big test, but it is nice that we are getting players back in and around the squad. The squad is looking more in-depth now and we're not picking up niggling injuries like we have this season. We are getting players back. Paul [Pogba] and Rashy [Marcus Rashford] are still out at the moment, but I am sure they will be itching to get back involved with the lads. It is a big test, but we have enough squad depth to cope with it.”

Is it quite tricky to play against a team who you are not too familiar with?
“Yeah, I think it [the LASK game] is going to be a tough test. They beat AZ Alkmaar in the last round. We have played AZ [this season] and [although] we beat them 4-0 here at Old Trafford, the first half was really tough. We know they are not a bad side, they play the ball around nicely, they are a good side who we are playing, we respect them, but we know that with the quality and the talent that we've got in our dressing room, we've got to go there, perform and win the game.”

Win in this round and we’re through to the quarter-finals. Is that when you start to think about winning the Europa League?
“To be honest, I don't think it is at that point. Ever since we started in this competition the gaffer has reiterated how important it is. We wanted to win the group, we won the group, we wanted to go through against Brugge and we took each game really seriously. It is an important competition and we know it is a way to get the Champions League football, which is what we are all after. Obviously, the most important thing is getting in the top four of the Premier League for the Champions League, and we know that. So it is a competition we want to win, we want to win the FA Cup as well. We want to stay in these competitions for as long as we can.”