Manchester United and England star Harry Maguire has opened up on one of the toughest periods in his career and how he bounced back from the major setback.
Harry Maguire lost the Manchester United captaincy in 2023 after Erik ten Hag stripped him of the armband and made Bruno Fernandes the club captain.
Despite losing the captain’s armband ahead of the 2023-24 season, Maguire remained at Old Trafford and fought for his place in the United XI.
Maguire underwent a career resurgence last season and impressed at times with his performances, with Erik ten Hag turning to the player in an injury-hit season.
The 31-year-old United defender, who was linked with West Ham in 2023, made 31 appearances across all competitions and scored four times for the Red Devils.
Maguire has played in all three of United’s Premier League matches so far in the current campaign, with the former Red Devils captain starting two league fixtures.
Man Utd star Maguire on tough period
Harry Maguire was dealt a major blow towards the tail end of the 2023-24 campaign after he suffered a calf injury back in April.
The United centre-back missed several matches for the Red Devils, including his side’s stunning 2-1 FA Cup final win over Manchester City at Wembley in May.
However, Maguire’s injury also led to the England international being sidelined for the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 campaign in Germany in the summer.
Maguire was a key defender for former England boss Gareth Southgate, who led the Three Lions to a 2-1 final defeat to Spain at the Olympiastadion in Berlin in July.
The Three Lions star has now admitted that it was a ‘tough’ moment for him to miss out on representing England during their Euro 2024 campaign.
“The last couple of months have been a real disappointment for me – one of the toughest moments of my career to date,” Maguire told FourFourTwo magazine.
“I’m just happy to be back playing again. I got into a good place mentally and physically last season with my form, but then my body broke down on me.”
Maguire on Man Utd and pre-season
Maguire has been away from Old Trafford in the September international break after interim England manager Lee Carsley called him up for international duty.
The former Leicester City and Sheffield United defender started and played 85 minutes for England in the 2-0 Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland.
Despite missing Euro 2024 with England in the summer, Maguire was able to secure regular playing time with United during the pre-season tour.
“The tour was really good – it’s always good to go to the USA, train and see our fans,” he added.
“You see just how big the club is when you go to places like that, and the worldwide support that we have.”
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