Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire has revealed why he did not leave the club in the latest transfer window.
The 30-year-old has explained that, contrary to rumours at the time, the Red Devils could not reach an agreement with West Ham United, adding that failed deal was not up to him.
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After an underwhelming 2022/23 campaign in which he made just 16 Premier League appearances – he started only eight of those fixtures – and having had the captaincy taken off him by manager Erik ten Hag, an exit seemed to be on the cards for the former United skipper when the off-season window beckoned.
However, despite reports suggesting that Maguire himself rejected the transfer to the Hammers after the Red Devils had agreed a fee for the defender, the Englishman has now given his account of why a potential relocation to London fell through.
"The actual opportunity to go to West Ham wasn't agreed really between both clubs and myself. So it wasn't just my chance to say, 'Yes and I'm going'," the centre-back said at a press conference, per Manchester Evening News.
"It wasn't agreed between both clubs so the actual opportunity wasn't there because we didn't get far enough down the line with it.
"But West Ham is a massive club. But like I said, my full focus is still on Manchester United, I want to fight for my place, but, of course, regular game time is really important to me."
Despite his commitment to fighting for a consistent place in the Old Trafford side's starting XI, Maguire also revealed that he could reconsider his future at the club if he is not given more playing opportunities by Ten Hag.
Maguire has made only four appearances for United so far this season and, according to the player, his performances merit more minutes.
"I am not going to sit here all my life and play once a month and if it carries on, I am sure myself and the club will sit down and have a chat," he added, per the Daily Mirror.
"I want to play minutes, I want to play football.
"If you look back on my last 15-20 starts for club and country, I would be happy to sit here and say I'm really happy with my performances.
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"My record under this manager (Ten Hag) speaks for itself.
"I haven't started as many games as I would like but my win percentage when I've played is ridiculously high."
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