Harry Maguire has expressed his strong desire to take the field for Manchester United in the upcoming matches.
The English defender has been facing mounting pressure from both the Manchester United fans and Manager Erik ten Hag since the pre-season. This intensified after he was stripped of his captaincy by the manager earlier in the summer. In the current season, Maguire has made just one appearance in the first four matches.
In a recent interview, Maguire commented about his limited playing time, “I want to play games, I want to play football. The first four weeks were hard because it was one game a week and the manager didn’t select me but we have lots of games coming up now and I am sure I will play lots of games.”
Maguire: “I’ve not started a game in the first four games of the season, the story comes to me. I want to play football” 🔴 #MUFC
“West Ham? We just didn’t come to an agreement. Man Utd were happy for me to stay and I was happy to fight for my place”, told Express. pic.twitter.com/Bkr5ePOxQ8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 13, 2023
Manchester United is set to participate in five matches across three different competitions within a span of just 14 days. Harry Maguire remains optimistic about his chances of getting back into action during these upcoming fixtures.
Maguire also touched upon the failed West Ham move that was in the works during the summer transfer window. West Ham had reached an agreement for a $38 million transfer deal for Maguire, but they couldn’t come to terms on personal terms with the player.
Maguire disclosed that he couldn’t reach an agreement with West Ham, and the fact that Manchester United was content to keep him at the club played a significant role in his decision to stay and fight for his place within the squad.
Harry Maguire on Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate, the manager of the England national team, has consistently shown faith in Harry Maguire, even as the defender’s role at Manchester United has been less frequent. Despite his club struggles, Maguire has enjoyed substantial opportunities on the international stage.
In a recent match against Scotland, Maguire entered the game as a substitute and played for 45 minutes. Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on his side as he inadvertently scored an own goal, briefly giving hope to the Scottish team for a comeback. Nevertheless, England emerged victorious with a final score of 3-1.
Southgate on Harry Maguire: “There has been ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time — it’s a joke”. 🏴
“I’ve never known a player treated way he is by our own pundits. It’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen”, via @TimSpiers. pic.twitter.com/YuR7cEYi4S
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 12, 2023
Maguire spoke highly of his national team boss, saying, “Gareth has been fantastic since my debut. He consistently encourages me to perform well for England and contribute to our progress.”
The English defender also expressed his desire for regular playing time, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a rhythm for peak performance. Maguire expressed gratitude for the opportunities he received during the World Cup under Southgate’s leadership. He played a key role in England’s campaign, starting in all five matches before they were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals.
Maguire is determined to increase his playing time, both for his club and his country. With the Euro 2024 tournament scheduled to take place in Germany next year, he aims to leave a lasting impression and secure a spot on the squad for the competition.