HARRY MAGUIRE SAYS it is a “great honour” to be named Manchester United captain, with the £80 million centre-half intending to be the man to lead the club into a brighter future.
In the wake of Ashley Young’s departure for Serie A giants Inter, the armband at Old Trafford has been passed to the most expensive defender on the planet.
Maguire has already taken on that responsibility at times this season, with the England international being recognised as an on-field leader within a matter of months of his big-money arrival.
The 26-year-old is proud to have been entrusted with the challenge of guiding United forward, with everybody connected with the 13-time Premier League champions determined to bring the good times back.
Maguire told MUTV of taking on the captaincy: “It’s a massive honour to be the captain of this prestigious club.
“It’s a great feeling for myself but the hard work continues and I’ll keep doing the best I can, on and off the pitch, to make this club successful.”
He added on gaining the faith of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: “I’ve only been here five or six months and to gain his trust in that amount of time is obviously a great feeling for myself. It gives me confidence going into games and the way I put myself around the place.
“Off the field and on the field is especially important as a captain and it’s something I’m looking forward to but, like I said, the main thing is being successful as a club during the time I’m here.”
Solskjaer has already branded Maguire a “warrior” this season, as he has played through the odd niggling knock and figured in all 22 of United’s Premier League games.
“It’s something I want to do and something that I’m really proud of,” said Maguire.
“I want to play every game. Obviously to play every game in the Premier League is tough on your legs and tough on your mind, because there are so many games, especially around December, and you see people picking up little injuries.
“You’ve got to play through these little knocks sometimes and get your head down and get onto the pitch and battle through it.
“It’s really important for myself – I want to be on the team sheet in every game, if possible.”
Maguire will be desperate to lead by example in United’s next outing, with Solskjaer’s side set to take in a testing trip to arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
Bayern are a seriously good outfit, no obvious weaknesses in any positions,, they will take some beating and on tonight’s performance they could easily be crowned champions this year. Chelsea have gone backwards over the last few months, some serious investment needed in every department of the squad, they are a million miles away from competing with the best in the premier league and Europe.
@devils avacado: absolutly. I’d have them favourites and hope Liverpool don’t have to face them in the next round should they get through
@devils avacado: Mount got behind a few times, defence was caught flat footed at times. I’d say it will be a weakness against better opposition
@Tommy C: liverpool would make mince meat of their defense they let in to many goals
@Seamus Donnelly: we haven’t made mince meat of a defense since last year. What Liverpool has done is amazing but come champions league yo have to up it.
Chelsea are brutal
@InOleWeTrust: ahead of ye though:)
@john murray: we’ll see by the end of the season
@InOleWeTrust: pot , kettle etc.
Don’t watch chelsea much but tonight I either thought they’d play unreal and win 1-0 or 2-1 or just get smacked up 0-3. Really like lampard though, has got balls