Manchester United defender Harry Maguire happy to fight for place at Old Trafford

Harry Maguire insists he is “part of the future” at Manchester United despite the arrival of new signing Leny Yoro.

Central defender Yoro, 18, was brought in from Lille for £52million to add competition to a squad that underperformed in finishing eighth in the Premier League last season.

Maguire will compete for a spot at the heart of United’s defence with Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans but is up for the challenge.

Asked if he wanted to stay and fight for his place, he told Sky Sports: “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.”

H 👊#MUFC || #MUTOUR24 pic.twitter.com/AGBYA72BC1

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 25, 2024

Calf injury was “toughest moment”

Maguire missed Euro 2024 due to a calf injury and he conceded watching England reach the final, where they lost to Spain, was a low point.

He added: “It was a real tough moment in my career. It was probably the toughest moment in my career to date.

“To get myself into a position where all year I’ve worked hard to play at the end of the season and to play in these big games, cup finals and then to go to the Euros and try to win the tournament for my country.

“I felt like I got myself in a great position physically and mentally to go and perform at the highest level, and to face the setback I did with the injury, it was a real tough moment for me.

“I managed to watch the games. They were such important games. I have been a massive England fan throughout my life so it was obviously so hard not to be there.”

Ineos arrival will help United – Maguire

The arrival of Ineos, led by Jim Ratcliffe, has sparked an overhaul off the pitch at United with Omar Berrada coming in as chief executive and Dan Ashworth as sporting director.

And, although Maguire is wary of predicting immediate success, he is confident the foundations are being built for future success.

He told BBC Sport: “I don’t think we will go from finishing eighth in the league to winning all the trophies overnight.

“But I do think we are moving in the right direction now and the decisions that have been made at the top will help this club get back to where it should be.”