Harry Maguire holds a strong belief that he will have ample opportunities to showcase his talent for Manchester United this season. Despite widespread expectations of his departure from Old Trafford, given the removal of his captaincy due to struggles in the previous campaign, Maguire made the decision to remain with the club, rejecting an offer from West Ham United believed to be around £30m.
During this season, the 30-year-old has featured only once for the club, coming off the bench against Arsenal prior to the international break when Lisandro Martinez sustained an injury. With Raphael Varane still sidelined and Martinez battling a foot problem, Maguire could potentially start alongside Victor Lindelof in central defense when facing Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The defender had an unfortunate own goal in England's 3-1 victory over Scotland on Tuesday. However, the head coach of the Three Lions defended him vehemently, condemning the ongoing criticism aimed at the former Sheffield United prodigy.
Although uncertainty surrounds Maguire's future at the club level, he remains confident that he will have significant game time for the 20-time English champions this season. Maguire explained, "I know when I have not started a game in the first four games of the season, the story comes to me. I finished off last season with two very strong performances for England and I have played in all five matches to help put us where we are in qualifying, so I need to keep performing when I get chosen. At club football, I want to play games, I want to play football."
Maguire also expressed his ability to handle the reaction from opposition fans, including the mocking he faced from Scotland supporters during the international friendly. He stated, "It pretty much takes the pressure away from my teammates and puts it all on myself. It makes them play better, for sure. It is a little bit of banter and it is a hostile environment, coming away to Scotland. We knew coming here, when you hear the national anthem and the way they disrespect that, we knew it would be hostile and in the second half I got most of it. I am happy to go with that, don't worry about that."
While four of Maguire's last five appearances have been for the England national team, Manchester United is now entering a busy period of matches, providing an opportunity for the defender to establish himself in the new campaign.
