Harry Maguire has firmly told Manchester United fans that he isn’t going anywhere despite having just 12 months remaining on his contract and having several clubs approach the club for his signature this summer.
The 32-year-old has had a sharp upturn in form over the last two years. This form has been a small, shining light in the darkness that has been United’s league performances.
But it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel at Old Trafford, that things can and will get better under boss Ruben Amorim.
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The Portuguese has outlaid £200million on a new forward line, bringing in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo, and the newbies showed their worth in the opening weekend defeat to Arsenal.
Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon have come through the doors at Old Trafford this summer
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GETTYOn paper, yes, it is a defeat. But reading between the lines, Maguire feels there is clear progress and positives.
Speaking to The Athletic, the England international discussed their 1-0 loss: “A disappointment in the end, because this club demands winning football matches, and when you play for this club, you should never get the feeling of being happy after a game if you don’t win a football match.
“We’re sitting in the table with zero points, and we know it should be more. However, you can look at pluses: the performance was a lot better, a lot more intensity, and we deserved to get something.”
Harry Maguire came off the bench as a late substitute during Manchester United’s 1-0 loss against Arsenal
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Centre-back Matthijs de Ligt impressed in the game, nullifying the Gunners’ attacking threat, and particularly their new talisman Viktor Gyökeres. Maguire did not start the match, but is not concerned about his position in the squad.
“I think the squad is really competitive, with high-level players in each position,” he said. “Yes, me and Matthijs have been playing that central role [in a back three], but we can also play either side. I’ve proven that. I’ve done that for England, and Matthijs has done that numerous times for the Netherlands. There’s competition for places all over the pitch and I think that’s healthy.”
But the former Leicester City man feels his performances over the past year have put him in good standing for the upcoming season, should he stay clear of injuries.
The defender has endured significant spells of online criticism during his time at Old Trafford – he admitted he has “always been quite good at handling criticism” and that he has had to be “mentally strong” – but he could be playing through his strongest run of form for the club.
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Last season, while his defensive actions were improved, his attacking contributions also spiked. Late winners against Leicester in the FA Cup and Lyon, during a thrilling 5-4 Europa League victory, and Maguire quickly saw himself turn into Amorim’s late hero. A brilliant piece of trickery on the wing followed by a perfect delivery against Villarreal also helped his case.
“It’s been a couple of years now where I feel like I’ve played well for this club again,” he confidently explained. “I only had six months, really, when I had a bad dip in form. The previous two years were excellent. I’ve been a lot better in the last two and a half years.
“Now, I’m in a good place with the club and the fans. I’ve got a real good bond with them, and it’s a real special place to play. It’s a huge privilege and honour to play for this club and it’s something I’ll always be grateful for.”
And it was this form that, he feels, has led the club to want to keep him this summer and, perhaps, beyond: “I’m pretty sure the club have made people aware this summer that I can’t leave the club on any terms, with other clubs enquiring about my position with my contract.”
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The 32-year-old is a senior member of the squad, passing on his experience to youngsters such as Ayden Heaven
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“I’m sure over the next few months they’ll sit down and we’ll have to have a conversation about where we want to go and if they want to extend, or the transfer window will open again in January.
“I have something in my mind about what I want to do and what I want to be. I don’t want to put it out there to everybody, but it’s an amazing club to play for and you’d be silly if you wanted to jump out of it as soon as you could.
“I think there were a couple of clubs that maybe enquired or spoke with them, and they got a quick response.”
Maguire concluded by insisting the club is heading in the right direction under Amorim, and behind the scenes has finally restructured in a way that can allow the club to be a success on the pitch.
“We’re in a good place, positive as a club,” he added. “I feel like the hierarchy has come in and Jason [Wilcox, United’s director of football] and the manager, I feel like they’re taking it in the right direction.
“It’s in a completely different place in terms of the structure behind the management staff.”
He was asked whether it is a better place now to play football. He responded simply: “Yes, a lot better.”
Whether Maguire is a stark reminder to United fans of the recent dark times or can be part of the leadership group that guides the club back to its former glory is yet to be seen. What is certain, though, is that Maguire will play a key role for United this year as they hope to right the wrongs of previous seasons.