Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on missing FA Cup final and Euro 2024 agony - 'Toughest moment of my career'

Published 26/07/2024 at 10:50 GMT

Harry Maguire endured an injury-plagued end to last season, which ruled him out of Manchester United's FA Cup final win over derby rivals Manchester City and this summer's European Championship. The 31-year-old was forced to watch from afar, as Gareth Southgate's side progressed all the way to the Euro 2024 final before being beaten 2-1 by Spain in the Berlin showpiece.

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Harry Maguire has reflected on an agonising end to last season which saw the defender miss the FA Cup final and Euro 2024.

A calf problem ruled Maguire out of United’s memorable 2-1 win over Manchester City at Wembley, and he could not recover in time to feature in Gareth Southgate’s final England squad at the Euros.

The 31-year-old was included in England's provisional squad for the tournament, but was axed from the final 26-player roster after struggling to shrug off the injury.

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“It was a really tough moment in my career; probably the toughest moment in my career to date really,” Maguire told Sky Sports.

“To get myself in a position where all year I've worked hard to play at the end of the season, to play in these big games, these big games, these cup finals, and then go to the Euros to try and win the tournament for my country.

“I felt like I had got myself in a great position physically and mentally to go and perform at the highest level, and to face the setback that I did with the injury, was a really tough moment for me.

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“When you see the Euros being played, you can't really go hiding from it all, but I have great friends, family and support around me and I enjoyed my holidays, even though, like I said it was a tough moment for myself mentally in my career.

“I managed to watch the games, they're such important games, especially as I've been a massive England fan throughout my life, so it was so hard not to be there.”

Attention now turns to club matters, with Maguire frequently linked with a move away from Old Trafford in recent months.

The centre-back is in the final year of his contract, but remains fully committed to the Red Devils, who are finally recovering a feel-good mood.

“Unless the club tell me I'm up for sale or I'm not wanted there anymore,” he added.

“Everything I've heard and the action I've been shown from the club, I'm part of the future and it is time to crack on and make this club successful again, challenging for the big trophies. That's what this club demands.“

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