Center -back Harry Maguire admits he has a very high chance of winning with Man Utd, but admits the possibility of leaving in January 2024 if he continues to not be a starter.
"I've been happy with my performances in the last 15 to 20 starts for club and country," Maguire said on October 11 at a press conference at St George's Park ahead of the England-Australia friendly. "My record speaks for itself. I haven't played as much as I would have liked, but the win rate when I've started is ridiculous."
Maguire and Man Utd won both matches he started for Man Utd this season. Photo: Alamy
Since Erik ten Hag took charge at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022, Maguire has gradually lost his starting position and was even stripped of the captaincy. The English centre-back started just 16 games in all competitions last season and twice this season. But the "Red Devils" won 12 of the 16 games with Maguire in the starting lineup last season, a rate of 75%. That figure dropped to 63% when the 30-year-old centre-back was absent - 29 wins in 46 games.
Man Utd went on to win both games with Maguire starting this season - beating Crystal Palace 3-0 in the third round of the League Cup and Brentford 2-1 in the eighth round of the Premier League. Otherwise, Ten Hag's team lost six of the 11 games Maguire missed.
Maguire said the team selection was not his decision and he is confident he will play more regularly in the coming weeks. The 30-year-old centre-back also admitted he wants to improve, play better at times and is determined to help Man Utd out of their current predicament. "Hopefully we can do that in the coming weeks," he said.
Favored by Gareth Southgate for his experience, Maguire still has to compete for a place with many high-performing central defenders such as Marc Guehi, John Stones, Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk and Fikayo Tomori. With Euro 2024 only eight months away, Maguire has hinted that he could leave Man Utd in the mid-season transfer window if Ten Hag continues to not give him a chance.
"I'm not going to sit here for the rest of my life and play one game a month and if that continues I'm sure I and the club will have to talk about it all," Maguire said. "But I'm focused on England and then I'll come back and fight to try and get my place back at Man Utd and help the team improve.
Maguire listens to instructions from coach Ten Hag when he came on as a substitute in the Premier League last season. Photo: Reuters
Maguire believes in his ability and qualities and insists he must be ready to seize opportunities. "Every substitute should have the confidence that they should start, otherwise they won't be able to play at the highest level. I do the same," said the 30-year-old centre-back. "It's difficult, I want to play, I want to feel important to the club and my team-mates."
In 2019, Man Utd bought Maguire for a record fee for a defender of $96 million. He refused to join West Ham in the summer of 2023 because he wanted to compete for a position at Old Trafford, and his contract is until June 2025.
Hong Duy
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