‘Listen’ - What Harry Maguire has just said about Man Utd problems

Manchester United’s Harry Maguire has admitted recent criticism has been ‘tough’ to take. The defender has been on the receiving end of scrutiny from both fans and the media over recent times.

He was jeered by Scotland fans in a recent international friendly for England at Hampden Park before scoring an own goal. The former Sheffield United, Hull City and Leicester City man was also linked with an exit from Old Trafford over the summer.

West Ham were believed to be keen on luring him down to London from United to hand him a fresh start. However, a move didn’t materialise and he ended up staying put beyond the deadline at the start of last month.

Maguire has opened up about his current situation and has said: “I have belief in my ability and what I have done in my career as every player should. Every player who is on the bench should believe they should be starting, otherwise they wouldn’t be playing at a high level. I am no different.

“Listen, it’s been tough. I want to play games. I want to feel important to the club and I want to feel important to the rest of the team. At the moment I haven’t been playing anywhere near as much as I’d like. It’s the bottom line of it. I’ve just got to make sure I am ready to take the opportunities when they come along.”

Asked when game time becomes an issue ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany next year: “Yeah, of course. I mean, I’m not going to sit here all my life and play once every month and if it carries on then I’m sure myself and the club will sit down and have a chat about things.

“But, honestly, at the moment I’m fully focused on two games for England, two big games. Then I’m fully focused on fighting and trying to get back my place at Manchester United and helping the team climb up the league to where we should be.”

Maguire started and played the full 90 minutes in United’s last outing against Brentford. They won 2-1 with Scott McTominay on the scoresheet twice.