Maguire responds to England abuse and explains decision to stay at Man Utd

13 September 2023 , 21:30

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Maguire responds to England abuse and explains decision to stay at Man Utd

Harry Maguire insists he can deal with the abuse that has outraged England manager Gareth Southgate.

And the Manchester United defender has revealed the reason why he did not leave Old Trafford in the summer transfer window after being axed as captain by Erik ten Hag.

Maguire was mercilessly ridiculed by Scottish fans during England’s 3-1 win at Hampden Park on Tuesday night, particularly after scoring the own goal that gave Scotland hope during the second half.

It prompted Southgate to launch a tirade against Maguire’s critics, labelling them ‘idiots’. But Maguire said he is big enough to cope with the flak.

“I would not say I am a person who struggles with pressure mentally,” he declared. “I have been through a lot in the last couple of years and I have been Manchester United captain for nearly four years.

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"You take a huge lot of responsibility and everything that comes with it - and that is a lot of bad as well as good. (At Hampden Park) they piled pressure on myself. I would not say I am used to it but I can deal with it.

“I am disappointed with the own goal but that is football. You are a centre-back and you put yourselves in those positions. I am really pleased with how I performed in the second half and how I dealt with it.”

And at Old Trafford, Maguire is determined to fight for his place after a move away never materialised despite links to West Ham. Maguire explained why he is still there, hinting it was because of a combination of his United contractual arrangements and him wanting to fight his way back into the team.

“Well, I think it was a bit of both,” Maguire said. “Erm, how can I put this? We just didn’t come to an agreement and they were happy for me to stay and I was happy to fight for my place. I want to do that and every time I train or play I will give everything.”

Maguire came on as a substitute against Arsenal before the international break and believes he will get opportunities this season amid a crisis in Erik ten Hag's defence.

He went on: “I know, at the moment, when I have not started a game in the first four games of the season, the story comes to me. So, I need to keep performing when I get chosen. Listen, at club football, I want to play games. The first four weeks were hard because it was one game a week and the manager didn’t select me but we have lots of games coming up now and I am sure I will play lots of games.”

Andy Dunn