Harry Maguire is happy to help Manchester United in any way he can — even if that means not starting every game.
Club captain Maguire had been a mainstay of the first team ever since joining from Leicester City back in 2019 but has had to be satisfied with a more peripheral role this term.
Maguire has made just 12 Premier League appearances this season with Erik ten Hag appearing to prefer Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez as his first-choice central defensive partnership.
United only qualified for the Europa League on the final day of last season, but victory over Everton on Saturday boosted their hopes of a return to the Champions League this time around.
Maguire made a rare start at Old Trafford and he says he is happy to be able to assist the team’s cause whenever he’s called upon.
“It’s my job. That’s the bottom line of it, it is my job to be ready and to train as well as I can,” he said.
“If you ask anyone in the dressing room how well I train, I train hard and competitively in everything I do whether it is a small-sided game or possession, and I always do extra.
“I’ve proven that because every time I’ve been given an opportunity for the club this year and for country in the World Cup and qualifiers, I felt like I’ve been in a really good place and I’m performing really well.
“Last season was disappointing for everyone, there are numerous players and we could speak about individuals, myself included. The form wasn’t good. Everyone’s form wasn’t good and that comes together as a collective.
“This year I feel I am in a good place mentally, physically and every time I’ve started a game of football I’ve done myself justice and done well. But I also understand we have amazing centre-backs at this club.
“We have four top international centre-backs who could play at the top level. Myself, Lich (Martinez), Rafa (Varane) and Victor (Lindelof) as well.
“It is good that we have all four of us and I’m sure between now and the end of the season we’re going to push each other and also going to be highly competitive for spaces, but you also have to make sure when you don’t get selected that you train well and make sure you are ready, and ready to fight and when you get that chance to take that opportunity.”
\Maguire has had to be content with fewer minutes this season (Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Saturday’s victory made it 10 consecutive wins with Maguire in the starting eleven as goals from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial eventually saw United through to the three points.
The margin of victory could have been far wider had they taken more of the host of chances created in the first-half in particular.
“I don’t want to speak about it too much because I don’t want to jinx it. I haven’t lost since the second or third week of the season but this match was not about me, it was about the team,” Maguire added.
“The team was really strong, it was an amazing performance, especially in the first half. We dominated the first half more than we have in any game this season. The lads were on the front foot and created numerous chances.
“The only thing was we weren’t as clinical as we could have been. I’m pleased on a personal level to help the team and keep another clean sheet and to win the football match but it is a big important thing as a group.”
Manchester United return to action against Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.
