MARCUS McGuane promises his best is yet to come as an Oxford United player.

The midfielder had arguably his standout U’s game last Saturday at Wigan Athletic, before he helped change the momentum of the midweek draw at Portsmouth as a second-half substitute.

A feature of both performances was the 21-year-old’s positivity in possession, a welcome change from a cautious start to his United career.

The former Barcelona and Arsenal man is keen to build on those displays – and hopes he continues in the middle of the park.

He said: “I wouldn’t really say that I’m a confidence player.

“Maybe as I’m playing more centrally I feel a bit more comfortable.

“Over the last couple of games I’ve shown myself more and I just need to build on those performances and show what I can do on a consistent basis.”

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McGuane has been in and out of the U’s side since signing on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest in August.

He joined with the intention of gaining experience in English football, with the majority of his career appearances to date coming for Barcelona B or Telstar in the Dutch second tier.

The midfielder’s only goal in senior football came at the latter, but he is getting closer to opening his account for United.

McGuane had efforts tipped wide against Wigan and Portsmouth, giving him the belief that his first U’s goal is not far away.

He said: “I feel like it’s coming.

“I’m out near enough every day just getting that feeling of hitting that ball in the net.

“Hopefully once I’ve got one I’ll carry on.”

Karl Robinson was delighted with McGuane’s display at Wigan and even compared him to ex-United midfielder Shandon Baptiste, who produced several star showings before moving to Brentford in January.

He said: “Marcus is a work in progress.

“I love his energy, his attention to detail and the power.

“He reminds me of Shandon in the way he gets around a pitch and makes things happen.

“His finishing needs to improve, as well as his final ball because fundamentally that’s what separates the best players.

“He has all the components to be as good as he wants to be but in the final third his decision making has to be better.

“He’ll be a much better player for the experience he’s having now.”