Harry Maguire insisted that he is capable of dealing with the abuse and revealed why he did not leave Manchester United during the summer transfer window after Erik ten Hag fired him as captain.
Maguire’s selection in the England squad was questioned because the 30-year-old has yet to start a Premier League match this season, only coming off the bench for 23 minutes in the loss at Arsenal. And he was put under even more pressure when he came off the bench for the Three Lions on Tuesday night at Hampden Park.
Maguire was booed by the home crowd in addition to scoring an unfortunate own goal. He had the last laugh with a 3-1 victory and appreciated the support of the traveling England fans who cheered him on.
“I would not say I am a person who struggles with pressure mentally. I have been through a lot in the last couple of years and I have been Manchester United captain for nearly four years,” Maguire said.
“You take a huge lot of responsibility and everything that comes with it – and that is a lot of bad as well as good. (At Hampden Park) they piled pressure on myself. I would not say I am used to it but I can deal with it.
“I am disappointed with the own goal but that is football. You are a centre-back and you put yourselves in those positions. I am really pleased with how I performed in the second half and how I dealt with it.”
Maguire is determined to fight for his place at Old Trafford after a move away never materialised despite links to West Ham. Maguire explained why he is still there, implying that it is due to a combination of his United contractual obligations and his desire to fight his way back into the team.
“Well, I think it was a bit of both,” Maguire said. “Erm, how can I put this? We just didn’t come to an agreement and they were happy for me to stay and I was happy to fight for my place. I want to do that and every time I train or play I will give everything.”
