Harry Maguire reveals Manchester United squad fining system and how ‘strict’ Nemanja Matic caught him out

The United skipper has helped his team up to second in the table

Harry Maguire has lifted the lid on the fining system the Manchester United players have in place to keep themselves accountable and disciplined - and how he ran afoul of it on a technicality.

The captain is part of a group, along with midfielder Nemanja Matic, who keep the whole squad in line with fines for the usual transgressions, such as poor timekeeping.

Maguire says Matic caught him once in breach of those self-appointed rules, even if he disputes the legitimacy of the occasion.

"I've been fined once which is still debatable," the England defender said on the official Utd podcast. "It's crazy but I let Nemanja do it. I took the hit and put the money in the pot.

"When you meet in the gym before training for pre-activation you are not allowed your phone. We did pre-activation, I didn't have my phone. But then you go outside to put your boots on and you aren't allowed to go on your phone in that period. I had my phone and carried it out with me.

"I wasn't on my phone because straight after training I was going to put my trainers back on and go up for a massage instead of coming all the way back.

"I could have gone straight to a massage and Nemanja fined me for that. He's strict with everyone so I'm happy. I can set the standard."

Maguire further revealed that most players had kept to the rules this season, saying the squad togetherness was an important factor in United's improved league form - with their last outing being the ruthless 9-0 thrashing of Southampton. And the payments are bigger when it comes to matchdays, just to ensure everybody is on board and focused.

"We have lates for training, meetings and travel. They are the three big ones. 

"We mainly have one set fine but double on match day. I just like to keep it simple. If you have too many fines it ends up too messy."