Manchester United lost both Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelof in the summer, and there were reports that Harry Maguire also received multiple offers.
However, the club rejected all of them, with Ruben Amorim deeming the former skipper a crucial part of the squad. Which is why he was named as part of the new six-man leadership group within the squad.
From almost being sold on multiple occasions, and being incessantly criticised from all quarters, the Englishman sure has come a long way.
During a media interaction on the sidelines of a Manchester United Foundation event, the centre-back opened up on how much more confident he feels currently and how the reception from fans has added to the feel-good factor for him.
Improved form
“I feel in a good place. It’s been a couple of years now where I feel like I’ve played really well for this club again. I only had six months really where I had a bad dip of form. The previous two years was excellent. I’ve been a lot better in the last two-and-a-half years.
“Now I’m in a good place. I’m in a good place with the club and the fans. I’ve got a real good bond with them and it’s a real special place to play. It’s a huge privilege and honour to play for this club and it’s something that I’ll always be forever grateful for.”
The 32-year-old revealed that there was indeed interest in his services from other clubs, but the new management gave those proposals short shrift.
“Yes, I think there were a couple of clubs who maybe enquired or spoke with them and I think they got a quick response.
“Like I said, we’re in a good place, positive as a club and I feel like the hierarchy has come in and Jason [Wilcox] and the manager, I feel like they’re taking it in the right direction.
Lots of Interested clubs
“I think it’s been, since I started six years ago to where it is now, it’s in a completely different place in terms of the structure behind the management staff.”
The England international was expected to depart upon the expiration of his contract, especially when Amorim came on board with his brand-new ideas.
Instead, the defender impressed the Portuguese tactician to such an extent that the club triggered the one-year extension option in his deal.
And as things stand, Harry Maguire feels confident that both parties will meet this year to iron out the way forward. He would love to stay and continue playing in red.
On his future
“Last year, the clause was in their hands, so there was no option for me there. There was no talking. It was just that they activated it, and it got extended. This year, obviously I’m up at the end of the year.
“I’m pretty sure the club have made it aware this summer that I can’t leave the club on any terms with other clubs enquiring about my things and my position with my contract.
“I’m sure over the next few months they’ll sit down and we’ll have to have a conversation about where we want to go and if they want to extend, or obviously the transfer window will open again in January.
“Obviously, I have something in my mind about what I want to do and what I want to be. I don’t want to put it out there to everybody, but it’s an amazing club to play for and you’d be silly if you wanted to jump out of it as soon as you could.”
Feature image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
