Harry Maguire feels vindicated by his decision to stay at Manchester United after being rewarded with a run of games in the side.

The England international has started United’s last eight matches in all competitions with manager Erik ten Hag seemingly now preferring him to Raphael Varane in the centre of defence.

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Maguire was stripped of the captaincy by Ten Hag in the summer and was close to a move to Premier League rivals West Ham United during the transfer window before opting to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford.

Aided by injury issues for previous first choices Varane and Lisandro Martinez, the 30-year-old is pleased to now see that pay off after a frustrating time a season ago.

“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,” he said. “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. I was willing to stay and fight for my place and we have four or five top international centre-backs at this club and the competition for places is really high.”

Asked how he manage to maintain his confidence when not in the team, Maguire said: “I think your experience and the memories you’ve had. Working hard in training is the main thing and making sure you’re ready.

“But I started 16 or 17 games last year and felt like my form was there. There was a lot of talk about me because I wasn’t playing games, but that is the way it is. I was playing well for my country, went to the World Cup and played well and always thought my form was there.

“But I am up against some top, top-level centre-backs and last year they were playing amazing, so I didn’t get as many opportunities as I would have liked. This club demands competition for places and that is what we have in my position.”

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Maguire again played 90 minutes as United beat Luton Town on Saturday for a fourth Premier League victory in five matches.

The home side at Old Trafford again struggled for fluency but eventually got their noses in front thanks to Victor Lindelof’s second-half goal and saw the game out to secure the win.

“We want to play good football and we want to perform well,” Maguire said. “These games are tough, they are organised and the first goal is crucial. We have to get the first goal in the first half, we had four good chances, and if we get that, then it makes the game easier.

“Victor scored a great goal. We have got to be a little bit more ruthless in terms of our attacking intent and in terms of getting the second goal that would kill the game off and then we can enjoy our football.

“When it’s 1-0, there is always a chance for them, but the lads dug in and we got the three points.”

Maguire will next hope to feature in England’s games with Malta and North Macedonia before United return to action following the international break with a trip to Everton.

GO DEEPER

Watching Ten Hag for 90 minutes: Varane exchange, frustration at corner, leaning on Ramsay

(Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

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