‘I won’t sit here and play once a month’ – Harry Maguire warns he will leave Man Utd in January if not given more first-team chances

Maguire has started just one league match this season (Picture: Getty)

Harry Maguire has warned he could leave Manchester United in January if not given more first-team chances, defending his form by pointing to his ‘ridiculously high’ win percentage.

The England international started just eight Premier League games last season and was expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer after being stripped of the club captaincy.

West Ham United were eager to sign the centre-half but a proposed move fell though after the two clubs were unable to agree a fee.

United’s defence has been decimated by injury in the opening months of the season with Lisandro Martinez expected to be sidelined until December. Raphael Varane has also struggled to stay fit with Maguire handed his first start of the campaign against Brentford on Saturday, setting up Scott McTominay’s dramatic winner.

But with Victor Lindelof preferred by Erik ten Hag at the back, Maguire is expected to return to the bench once Varane is fit again with Jonny Evans also vying for starts.

With Maguire determined to keep his place in the England side ahead of Euro 2024 next summer, he insists he will not tolerate ‘playing once a month’ and will push for a move if the situation does not improve.

‘I am not going to sit here all my life and play once a month. If it carries on I am sure myself and the club will sit down and have a chat about things,’ Maguire said, speaking ahead of England’s double-header against Australia and Italy.

Maguire wants to keep his place in the England side (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s not my decision whether I start the next game for United or not. In a couple of weeks, I’ll go back and find out.

‘I have belief in my ability and it’s been tough. I want to play games and feel important to the club. At the moment, I haven’t been playing anywhere near as much as I would like. That is the bottom line.’

Despite his manager preferring other options at the back, Maguire insists his ‘ridiculously high’ winning percentage when on the pitch under ten Hag should ensure he is given opportunities.

‘I just have to make sure I am ready to take opportunities when they come along,’ added Maguire. ‘My record under this manager speaks for itself. My win percentage when I’ve played is ridiculously high.

‘If you look back on my last 15 to 20 starts for club and country, I’m really happy with my performances.

‘At the moment I am focused on two big games for England and then on fighting to try and win my place back at Manchester United and help the team climb the league.’


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