Harry Maguire breaks silence after recent England boos as defender draws up master plan to win back Man Utd spot
HARRY MAGUIRE says he can handle all the stick he gets – and is on a mission to win his place back at Manchester United.
The England defender was jeered by Scotland fans when he came on as a half-time substitute in Tuesday’s 3-1 friendly win in Glasgow.
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And it increased after his own goal in the 67th minute.
But the ridicule is nothing new for the 59-time veteran, who has a seriously thick skin.
Maguire said: “We knew it was going to be hostile against the Scots and I got most of it in the second half. “I’m happy with that, no worries.
“They put pressure on me. I wouldn’t say I’m used to it, but I can handle it.
“I wouldn’t say I’m someone who struggles mentally with pressure.
“I’ve been through a lot in the last few years and was captain of Manchester United for almost four years.
“It was a great honor and you take on a lot of responsibility and everything that comes with it – and that’s a lot of bad and good.”
When asked about the endless hounding he receives from opposing fans, Maguire smiled and saw the bright side.
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He added: “Well, it pretty much takes the pressure off my teammates and puts all the pressure on myself.”
“It definitely makes them play better. It’s a bit of a joke and it’s a hostile atmosphere coming to Scotland.”
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate described the criticism of Maguire as “ridiculous” and a “joke”.
However, he continues to be excluded from the United team by Erik ten Hag and only made one brief appearance as a substitute, in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
The centre-back, who lost the captaincy to Bruno Fernandes, was due to move to West Ham in the summer but became embroiled in a financial dispute with United over his departure.
When asked why he ended up staying at Old Trafford, the 30-year-old said: “We just didn’t agree.
“They were happy for me to stay and I was happy to fight for my place.
“That’s what I want to do – and every time I train or play I will give it my all. I want to play games, I want to play football.
“The first four weeks were tough because there was only one game a week and the coach didn’t pick me. But we have a lot of games ahead of us now and I’m sure I’ll play a lot of games.”
Maguire replaced Lisandro Martinez for the final 23 minutes of United’s trip to the Emirates on September 3, with the score tied at 1-1.
Arsenal then secured victory with added time goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus.
Martinez, 25, limped off the pitch with a foot injury but traveled to Argentina for international duty.
However, the central defender was not in the World Cup squad against Ecuador or Bolivia, so his availability for the Premier League home game against Brighton on Saturday is in doubt.
Victor Lindelof was also replaced at Arsenal by Jonny Evans, signed on deadline day following illness, but the Swedish defender led his country in both Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Regular player Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw, who was deployed as a central defender by Ten Hag, are both still injured.