Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has admitted he is frustrated by the lack of playing time at Old Trafford. He has expressed that he wants to play every game but finds it difficult to get into Erik ten Hag’s starting XI.
The former Leicester City centre-back has played just 569 minutes in the Premier League this season. He has started six games and as many has come off the bench with Raphaël Varane and Lisandro Martínez as favorites ahead.
Speaking to the media after United’s 2-0 victory over Everton, the English defender assured that he was not going to hide his feelings. He said:
“Listen, I’m not going to stay here and say that I love it or that I like it. I don’t want to. I want to play every game and I have done so for the last eight years of my career. I also have to respect the coach and his decisions and also respect how good the competition is in the center of defense at this club. It is, and I believe it.”
added:
“Listen, when I get the chance, I want to play, I want to win and, most importantly, for the team to influence the game. Of course I want to play every game and I’m sure if you talk to our center… back in their roles, they’re all experienced and have played at the highest level and they’re all going to be disappointed when they sit on the bench. That’s the same for me.”
Harry Maguire was told to leave Manchester United in the summer
Louis Saha has advised Harry Maguire to leave Manchester United in the summer. He believes the defender can still perform at the highest level, but he cannot return to the starting XI at Old Trafford.
He told Paddy Power:
“Harry Maguire must look to get away from Manchester United because his form is going to drop because he won’t be playing much. The way United play at the back, dominating and playing forward-thinking football, Maguire gets too many touches and they miss the chance to attract the opponent towards them. That’s what happens when your confidence is low.”
Inter Milan were interested in signing Maguire in the January window on loan, but Ten Hag blocked the move. Maguire joined United from Leicester City in the summer of 2019 for a whopping £80m fee.