Harry Maguire: Erik ten Hag tells me I'm a top centre-half

Harry Maguire vowed to keep fighting as the Manchester United captain looks to translate Erik ten Hag's trust into a starting spot having watched much of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final win from the bench.

After injury denied him the chance to skipper the team in the 2021 Europa League final penalty shootout defeat to Villarreal, Bruno Fernandes again captained the side in his stead.

This time, Maguire’s absence was down to selection reasons as Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez’s outstanding partnership has seen the skipper fall down the centre-back pecking order under Ten Hag.

Nobody was surprised to see the 29-year-old named among the substitutes against Newcastle, with the defender brought on two minutes from time to see out a 2-0 win and lift the cup with Fernandes.

"Of course (I was happy to get on the pitch)," Maguire said. "I am a footballer who wants to play games. I also want to contribute to the team.

"I am the club captain and I know I have a big responsibility on and off the pitch, so it was nice to get on the pitch and help the lads out. It was an important win for us."

Asked if Ten Hag has been open and honest with him about his role this season, Maguire said: "Yeah, definitely.

"I think he has been asked numerous times in interviews about my role and things. He tells me honestly, he believes in me but this is football.

"The lads who are playing and starting – Rapha is playing really well and we have seen his ideas, the manager, what he wants and he does like a left-footed centre-back playing.

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