Manchester United’s Harry Maguire says patience has paid off،
Harry Maguire says his decision to stay at Manchester United this summer was vindicated after returning to Erik ten Hag’s side.
After a frustrating first season under Ten Hag, Maguire was close to a move to West Ham United during the transfer window, but ended up staying at Old Trafford.
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He started the current campaign on the bench but has started the last eight games in all competitions and believes it shows he was right to stay at United.
“I played a few games last year, 16 or 17 starts, and I felt like I played really well in the games I played, but I just didn’t play as many as I would have liked,” Maguire said. “On the other hand, Rapha [Raphaël Varane] and Licha [Lisandro Martínez] played brilliantly and kept many clean sheets.
“I had to bide my time and be patient. Last season I had two or three chances to play a series of matches, but I broke down due to illness, I collapsed due to From injuries twice, so I never had the pace and I never had the run of games where I could prove myself to the manager. I have that now.
I really enjoy my football and I really enjoy playing for this club. I was ready to stay and fight for my place and we have four or five top international center backs at this club and the competition for the places is really strong.”
Maguire, who still holds the title of the world’s most expensive defender thanks to his £80 million move from Leicester City in 2019, regained his place following Martinez’s lengthy injury absence.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag suggested he did not like a combination of Maguire and Varane at the back and for Saturday’s 1-0 win over Luton, Victor Lindelöf was favored over the Frenchman.
Maguire only started a Premier League game in October but, with Martinez expected to be out until after Christmas, the 30-year-old is now an integral part of the team.
“Working hard in training is the main thing and making sure you are ready,” Maguire added. “I started 16 or 17 games last year and I felt like my form was there. There was a lot of talk about me because I wasn’t playing, but that’s how it is. I was playing well for my country, I went to the World Cup, I played well and I always thought my form was there.
“But I’m up against top centre-backs and last year they played wonderfully, so I haven’t had as many opportunities as I would have liked. This club demands competition for places and that’s what we got. in my place.”
