'We are united': Harry Maguire denies reports of rift with Cristiano Ronaldo

Marcus Rashford had dismissed talk of dressing room divide earlier this week

Cristiano Ronaldo smashes Manchester United into the lead in their 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton at Old Trafford on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Reuters

Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister shoots at goal. Reuters

United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring. Reuters

Manchester United's Jadon Sancho sees a first-half shot saved by Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. PA

United's Cristiano Ronaldo after a missed chance. Getty

Brighton's Jakub Moder heads at goal. Reuters

Brighton's Jakub Moder shoots at goal under pressure from Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes. AP

Rereree Peter Bankes checks the pitchside monitor before sending off Brighton's Lewis Dunk. PA

Manchester United's Jadon Sancho heads the ball. Reuters

Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring Manchester United's second goal. Getty

Referee Peter Bankes shows a red card to Brighton's Lewis Dunk. PA

United's Cristiano Ronaldo heads a chance wide in the second half. Reuters

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes scores their second goal. Reuters

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire denied reports of a rift with Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting the team is united and focused.

United are in the midst of a disappointing season, with a top-four finish the best they can hope for in the Premier League.

Maguire has also been below par. Reports suggested the United skipper has felt undermined by Ronaldo's influence.

Marcus Rashford dismissed talk of a dressing room divide earlier this week and Maguire has denied the latest reports.

"I've seen a lot of reports about this club that aren't true and this is another," Maguire posted on social media ahead of Sunday's Premier League match at Leeds.

"Not going to start posting about everything that is written but I needed to make this one clear. We're united and focused on Sunday. Enjoy your day everyone."

Manchester United v Brighton player ratings

United's 2-0 win against Brighton on Tuesday lifted them back into fourth place in the English top-flight. But interim manager Ralf Rangnick faces a tough battle with a number of other sides also in the mix.

While Maguire has been off colour, Ronaldo has also suffered notable dip in form.

The Portuguese star, 37, went six games without a goal before finally getting back on the scoresheet against Brighton.

That victory stopped a dismal run of three successive games in which United had blown a first-half lead. And even though United moved up to fourth, but Rangnick will know their Champions League rivals have games in hand on a side that remain incapable of impressing over 90 minutes.

“It is great always when you have the three points especially after we draw the last few games. We are all very happy,” De Gea said after the Brighton game.

“We should be fighting for more things than the top four, but that is the reality. There are many teams fighting for the same position and with the quality we have we should win a lot of points.”