Why Maguire sees himself as a leader

Harry Maguire sees himself as a leader for Manchester United, despite no longer being club captain.

At the beginning of the month, head coach Ruben Amorim highlighted Maguire’s leadership skills and challenged him to improve, saying the team needed more guidance from senior players like him.

In Wednesday’s press conference to preview the game with Rangers, Maguire was asked if he feels he’s benefitted from not wearing the armband.

“No, I wouldn’t put it down to that to be honest,” Harry said to journalists.

“Whether I’m captain or not I do see myself as a leader in this group of players.”

Press conference: United v Rangers Video

Press conference: United v Rangers

Press conference | Ruben Amorim and Harry Maguire discuss nerves and frustration, Old Trafford and Rangers…

Maguire is one of the Reds’ longest-serving players, having joined from Leicester City in 2019 and he’s made over 200 appearances for the club.

The England international knows how much of a spotlight there is at United and accepts there will always be tough moments.

“I’m experienced now, I’ve been at the club over five years and I know that in times where you play for this club there are so many ups and downs,” he added.

“Every game that you lose there is a lot of scrutiny on the players and players get targeted, that is part and parcel of playing for this club. You’ve got to accept and take the responsibility on.”

He looked back on how some of his United predecessors dealt with being in the headlines but added that playing for the Reds was something he would never take for granted.

“I look at previous players and I’ve spoken about this before.

“The likes of [Wayne] Rooney and David Beckham, they had large amounts of scrutiny on them and they were world-class players, so if it can happen to them it can happen to anyone.

“Listen, playing for this club is a huge privilege and a huge honour, I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

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