Manchester United defender Maguire relishing competition for places after summer signings

Harry Maguire knows increased competition for places at Manchester United knows he must take his chance when it comes this season.

United have bolstered their centre-back options during the transfer window, with Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt both joining up with Erik ten Hag’s side.

Yoro was ruled out for three months with a foot problem during pre-season, meaning Maguire started alongside Lisandro Martinez in both the Community Shield and last Friday’s 1-0 win over Fulham.

The 31-year-old earned plenty of praise for his performance in their Premier League opener, having shone before he was replaced by De Ligt late on at Old Trafford

And the England international, who missed the end of last season and Euro 2024 with injury, knows he will not always be an automatic starter.

“I feel good, I feel fit. Physically and mentally, I’m in a good place and yeah, I’m looking forward to a big season,” he told the club’s website.

“There’s so many games this season. I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of changes to come, game to game, in the starting 11.

“And when your turn is upon you, you need to take your chance. It’s one that we’ll need a big squad for.

“For myself, I feel fit and ready to go and looking forward to the season.

“There’s so many games this season. I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of changes to come, game to game, in the starting 11.”

🇳🇱 @MdeLigt_04 x @LisandrMartinez 🇦🇷#MUFC pic.twitter.com/jgxJ17rozV

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 19, 2024

Champions League the aim

United endured a difficult campaign in 2023-24 despite winning the FA Cup as they finished a disappointing eighth in the league.

But the 63-cap international, who made 31 appearances last season, is hopeful of returning to the top four under Ten Hag this term.

“Obviously, we want to be in the Champions League spots,” he explained. “We missed out this season as we weren’t good enough in the league.

“I think we don’t really want to set any targets [but] I think this club demands trophies. So we want to win another trophy, of course, and in the Premier League we know there’s large improvements that we need to do and make from what we did last season.

“For sure, we’ve got to improve on last season and let’s see where it goes and takes us.”