HARRY MAGUIRE is on a mission to make sure Manchester United’s breakthrough stars achieve their potential at the club.
Anthony Elanga is the latest to emerge from the Red Devils’ academy into the first team.
And club captain Maguire says it is vital that more experienced players like himself now guide them along the way.
He said: “Obviously, I’m the captain of the club and, when players make their debuts, I feel a big responsibility to help them and speak with them because I know what it feels like as that young boy. I was there a few years ago now.
“There are nerves and there are pressures with playing for a club like Manchester United and, on and off the field, it’s really important for us senior lads to guide these players and give them the best opportunity to go and perform well.
“We give them those words of encouragement and we also put a lot of demands on them too, especially in training.
“We expect them to work hard and to get stuck in and to not be afraid of anybody or anything, and to play with no fear.
“So it’s really important that they keep working and pushing and we’ve got a lot of senior lads at the club now to help and guide them, and to help them improve the squad which is the ultimate aim for us.”
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Forward Elanga made two first team starts last season scoring on the final day of the Premier League season in a 2-1 win at Wolves.
He has stepped up again this season starting the last three Premier League games and is keeping Marcus Rashford out the starting line up.
Elanga also scored a fine opening goal in the impressive second half at Brentford that saw United come out 3-1 winners.
Maguire said: “Sometimes, when you’re a young boy, you can feel like the opportunity to start a game is far away then, all of a sudden, things change and you get your opportunity and you’ve got to be ready to take it.
“Anthony has done that really well and he should be proud of himself and I’m sure his family is really proud. Now it’s a marker and a stepping stone and can he really kick on? He has all the talent in the world to do that.
“Of course, myself and the senior lads will be pushing him and others, and that’s what we want – we want these young players to come in and bring energy and intensity, and help improve us as a squad.
“It’s what this club is about, it brings through talented footballers and if you’re talented enough then you’ll get an opportunity to play and that’s what happened with Anthony.”
The likes of Rashford, 24, and Mason Greenwood, 20, have been great examples to the Academy graduates of what you can achieve.
Maguire said: “You’ve obviously got Marcus, who is established, and Mason, who is growing and growing and getting better and better.
“Over the last few years, with Mason, I’ve spoken with him a lot. He’s matured a lot off the pitch and you can see that on it, with his performances.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
