Harry Maguire feels vindicated in his decision to snub a summer transfer after forcing his way back into Erik ten Hag’s starting XI.
The Manchester United defender turned down a switch to West Ham in order to fight for his place at Old Trafford having fallen down the pecking order.
Despite starting the season on the bench with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez preferred instead, the 30-year-old has started the last eight games in all competitions.
He has seized his chance following Martinez’s foot injury, and is now the club’s first choice centre-half with Varane struggling for form and fitness.
It marks a remarkable turnaround for the ex-Leicester star, who was stripped of the captaincy ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
But the 60-cap England international has insisted he never doubted his qualities, and when asked whether he feels as if it is personal vindication for staying, he said: “Of course.
“I played a few games last year, 16 or 17 starts, and I felt like I performed really well in the games I played in. I just didn’t play as many as I would have liked.
“On the other hand, Rapha (Varane) and Licha (Martinez) were playing brilliantly and kept numerous clean sheets. I had to bide my time and be patient.
“I had two or three opportunities last season to get a run of games but I broke down with illness, I broke down with injuries twice, so I never got the rhythm and never got the run of games that I could prove myself to the manager.
“I have got that now, I am really enjoying my football and I really enjoy playing for this club.
Read more at Source: Talksports.com
