Harry Maguire: Missing FA Cup final and Euros was ‘toughest moment’ of career

Harry Maguire says missing Manchester United’s FA Cup win and England’s run to the Euro 2024 final was the “toughest moment” of his career.

Having been replaced as captain during a summer of speculation about his future this time last year, the 31-year-old stayed put and fought his way into the starting line-up under Erik ten Hag.

But Maguire was unable to play in United’s FA Cup final win against rivals Manchester City due to a calf injury, with setbacks then seeing him miss the cut for England’s 26-man Euros squad.

The centre-back had been a key player throughout Gareth Southgate’s England reign but injury issues forced him to watch the team progress to the Berlin finale against Spain from afar.

“When I first did the injury, I thought I’d be fit for the FA Cup final,” Maguire told reporters on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

“So, I pushed myself for the final and then I had a setback in the week leading up to the final, which ruled me out of it.

“At that time again, it was no problem, I was going to be fit for the Euros. Then I went away with England and I had another setback, so yeah, it was so frustrating.

“When I look back, I wish I had no chance with all of them, so I could have got my head around it.

“But I thought I was going to play in the cup final or be involved at some stage and I thought 100 per cent I’d be involved at the Euros.

“But it just didn’t happen and maybe I just pushed myself to get back too early but definitely, it was the toughest moment of my career, definitely.”

Maguire admitted it was “really frustrating” having been “working all season to get myself mentally and physically at the top of my game and be in a position to feel I could really make a difference” for club and