Harry Maguire opens up on 'toughest moment of his career' as he prepares to fight for Man Utd place despite exit rumours

Maguire has had a very topsy-turvy career following his rise to fame at Leicester City. Following a strong start to his time with Manchester United, the centre-back became a mainstay for Gareth Southgate's England team. Despite the criticism and lack of confidence throughout the last season, the 31-year-old had a strong second half of the 2023-24 season and looked likely to make the Three Lions' Euro 2024 squad before an injury ruled him out for the tournament.

Speaking with Sky Sports, Maguire described missing out on Southgate's squad as his career's toughest moment: "It was a really tough moment in my career; probably the toughest moment in my career to date really," he said. "To get myself in a position where all year I've worked hard to play at the end of the season, to play in these big games, these big games, these cup finals, and then go to the Euros to try and win the tournament for my country.

"I felt like I had got myself in a great position physically and mentally to go and perform at the highest level, and to face the setback that I did with the injury, was a really tough moment for me. When you see the Euros being played, you can't really go hiding from it all, but I have great friends, family and support around me and I enjoyed my holidays, even though, like I said it was a tough moment for myself mentally in my career.

"I managed to watch the games, they're such important games, especially as I've been a massive England fan throughout my life, so it was so hard not to be there."

Maguire has been linked with an exit from the Red Devils after he was stripped of the captaincy in the summer of last year. However, the 31-year-old has confirmed that he is not thinking about leaving the club unless the club themselves want him to leave.

He added: "Unless the club tell me I'm up for sale or I'm not wanted there anymore. Everything I've heard and the action I've been shown from the club, I'm part of the future and it is time to crack on and make this club successful again, challenging for the big trophies. That's what this club demands."

The former Red Devils captain showed a lot of form towards the end of last season and the departures of Willy Kambwala and Raphael Varane could see him yet become a starter again under Erik ten Hag.