'I'm arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes' - Maguire
Harry Maguire feels he has "performed really well" in six out of his seven seasons at Old Trafford. After all, this is someone who had the captaincy taken off him by then-manager Erik ten Hag and the club were prepared to sell to West Ham in the summer of 2023.
[Getty Images] Harry Maguire feels he has "performed really well" in six out of his seven seasons at Old Trafford. "I still believe, even at my age, I'm arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes," he said. "I don't think that's in question really; that I can be really effective later on in games, whether you're holding on to a lead or trying to chase a game.
" Yet the openness and the honesty with which he assessed his more difficult moments made it an obvious area to probe, 24 hours after it had been confirmed Maguire had signed a new deal that will give him an eighth campaign at the club, and potentially a ninth. After all, this is someone who had the captaincy taken off him by then-manager Erik ten Hag and the club were prepared to sell to West Ham in the summer of 2023. "I just kept my head down," he said.
"I have great self-belief, more importantly, that I'm a top player. That's what helps me when things are tough. " Clearly, strength of mind is a positive character trait.
Maguire accepts it has been bumpy at times. He did not go as far as to say he benefited from having the captaincy taken away but did admit "the form came back" after it happened. "I believe the form would have come back whether I was captain or not," he added.