Harry Maguire says Manchester United must ‘take the positives’ from defeat of ‘fine margins’ against PSG

Hosts were 3-1 losers at Old Trafford in the Champions League on Wednesday night

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Harry Maguire lamented the fortune which fell the way of Paris Saint-Germain in the final third on Wednesday night, suggesting the French side benefited from “fine margins” on the night as they beat Manchester United 3-1 at Old Trafford.

The result leaves both clubs tied on nine points in their Champions League group along with RB Leipzig, who United face away from home on the final matchday next week, with the Red Devils needing a point to guarantee passage to the knock-outs.

Maguire felt United had their own chances to win, with Edinson Cavani striking the crossbar and Anthony Martial missing a great chance from close range, and the captain urged his team to “take the positives” ahead of a big week which sees the Old Trafford club play away to West Ham on Saturday before the midweek trip to Germany.

READ MORE: Champions League fixtures and standings — all matches by date and kick-off time

“A disappointing night. We went into the game wanting to win and win the group, it’s a game of fine margins and we had the better chances,” Maguire told BT Sport.

"[PSG scored] two goals which are scrappy, pinball and ricochets around the box and they’ve stuck it away. We come away with nothing; on the whole we deserved something from the game but it’s disappointing.

“We’ve got a big game on Saturday and we’re still in control of going through. We’ve got to go to Leipzig and win the game.

"It’s not good enough for Manchester United to get beat on your own patch but we’ll take the positives and move on.”

On team-mate Fred getting his marching orders, Maguire expressed confusion over the referee’s decision to show a yellow after reviewing on the pitchside monitor the incident which saw the midfielder push his head into Leandro Paredes’ face.

“It’s strange how he gave a yellow. It’s red or nothing I presume. [Fred’s tackle in the] second half is not a yellow, I’m two yards away, the ref is close and can see he wins the ball. Every time you go to the floor now, especially in Europe, you get a booking.”

United will take solace in having beaten Leipzig 5-0 at Old Trafford earlier in the season, though they have only kept one clean sheet in seven matches since that result.