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Harry Maguire feels vindicated in his decision to stay and fight for his spot at Manchester United, having forced his way back into Erik ten Hag’s team. The 30-year-old’s future seemed set to lie away from Old Trafford after the blow of losing his starting place was compounded by being stripped of the captaincy over the summer, but a potential move to West Ham – or elsewhere – did not materialise. And Maguire’s self-belief never wavered, with the under-fire defender repeatedly underlining his confidence about winning back his place at United. That sounded far-fetched to many, but is precisely what he has managed, with the England international starting their last eight matches in all competitions. Asked it feels like personal vindication for staying at United, Maguire said: “Of course. I have got that (run of games) now, I am really enjoying my football and I really enjoy playing for this club. Harry Maguire “I played a few games last year, 16 or 17 starts, and I felt like I performed really well in the games I played in. I just didn’t play as many as I would have liked. “On the other hand, Rapha (Varane) and Licha (Lisandro Martinez) were playing brilliantly and kept numerous clean sheets. I had to bide my time and be patient. “I had two or three opportunities last season to get a run of games but I broke down with illness, I broke down with injuries twice, so I never got the rhythm and never got the run of games that I could prove myself to the manager. “I have got that now, I am really enjoying my football and I really enjoy playing for this club. “I was willing to stay and fight for my place and we have four, five top international centre-backs at this club and the competition for places is really high.” Maguire has capitalised on injuries over the past six weeks and showed an impressive mentality, which is perhaps unsurprising for a player used to relentless mockery in recent years. England boss Gareth Southgate said the treatment he faced was “ridiculous”, “a joke” and “beyond anything I’ve ever seen” after September’s win in Scotland came to a backdrop of Hampden Park abuse. Maguire brushed it off as “banter” as he continued to block out criticism and abuse, saying his career to date has helped him retain a self-belief many would have seen dented. “Working hard in training is the main thing and making sure you’re ready,” the United defender said. “But I started 16 or 17 games last year and felt like my form was there. “There was a lot of talk about me because I wasn’t playing games, but that is the way it is. “I was playing well for my country, went to the World Cup and played well and always thought my form was there. “But I am up against some top, top-level centre-backs and last year they were playing amazing, so I didn’t get as many opportunities as I would have liked. “This club demands competition for places and that is what we have in my position.” Maguire’s focus now turns to England matters before United reunite and refocus on improvements after edging past Luton 1-0 on Saturday. It was a fourth win in five Premier League matches but improvements in front of goal are needed. At the moment we are not scoring enough goals and we know that. But we aren’t keeping enough clean sheets as well - that’s how I look at it. Harry Maguire Misfiring Marcus Rashford has scored just once this term, with Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Anthony Martial yet to open their Premier League accounts. “That’s what everyone will be talking about,” Maguire said. “I see (the forwards) day in, day out in training and I play with internationals next week at England and the lads in training at United. “The top players all have the ability to score goals. At the moment we are not scoring enough goals and we know that. “But we aren’t keeping enough clean sheets as well – that’s how I look at it. “I think in the past you’ve seen our attackers are top-quality players and can do it. “Maybe a little bit of luck will turn and they’ll get the first one and the goals will follow. I am sure they will because they are all very good players.” Hojlund’s struggles domestically are particularly surprising given nobody has scored more Champions League group-stage goals than the summer signing. “Ras is a top player,” Maguire added. “I think you’ve seen his work ethic and what he brings to the team in recent weeks. He does a lot more than scoring goals. “He scores goals in training, you’ve seen him score goals in the Champions League and I am sure it is a matter of time before he bangs a few in the Prem as well.” Read More Oleksandr Zinchenko says Ukraine ready for ‘game of their lives’ against Italy Robert Lewandowski rescues Barcelona as Inter Milan retake Serie A top spot Mauricio Pochettino sure Chelsea can compete with best after Man City thriller From Aguero winner to Keegan dismay, Chelsea-City joins Premier League classics Unai Emery demands consistency from Aston Villa after victory over Fulham I don’t like English referees – Roberto De Zerbi unhappy after Brighton held

Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Spanish champions Barcelona recovered from an early shock to beat Alaves 2-1 in LaLiga on Sunday. Teenager Samu Omorodion stunned Barca when he struck after just 18 seconds at the Olympic Stadium following a mistake by Ilkay Gundogan. Samu then missed a gilt-edged chance to double the lead but the hosts hit back with a Lewandowski header in the 52nd minute and then won it when the Pole added a penalty 12 minutes from time. Barca remain third in the table, four points adrift of leaders Girona and two behind Real Madrid. Fourth-placed Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Villarreal 3-1 with goals from Axel Witsel, Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Lino. Gerard Moreno had given Villarreal a 20th-minute lead at the Civitas Metropolitano. Ayoze Perez cancelled out an Ivan Rakitic opener as Real Betis claimed a 1-1 draw in their derby at Sevilla. Italian champions Napoli conceded a late goal to slip to a surprise 1-0 home loss to Empoli. Viktor Kovalenko scored the clincher for the visitors in stoppage time, leaving Napoli fourth in Serie A. Inter Milan returned to the top of the table as they beat Frosinone 2-0 with goals from Federico Dimarco and Hakan Calhanoglu, the latter from the penalty spot, either side of half-time. Fiorentina beat Bologna 2-1 to climb above their opponents in the table. Nicolas Gonzalez scored the winner from the penalty spot after 48 minutes. The Lazio-Roma derby clash ended goalless while Ederson’s stoppage-time equaliser ensured Atalanta left Udinese with a 1-1 draw. Bayer Leverkusen reclaimed leadership of the Bundesliga with an emphatic 4-0 win over bottom side Union Berlin. Alejandro Grimaldo, Odilon Kossounou, Jonathan Tah and Nathan Tella were all on target for Xabi Alonso’s side, who moved back above Bayern Munich. An early goal from Xavi Simons gave RB Leipzig a 1-0 win over Freiburg while Werder Bremem and Eintracht Frankfurt played out a 2-2 draw. In France, struggling Lyon finally claimed their first Ligue 1 win of the season as a Jake O’Brien header gave them a 1-0 win at 10-man Rennes. The hosts had Guela Doue sent off for a dangerous tackle after just five minutes and Lyon eventually made their numerical advantage count through Irishman O’Brien in the 67th minute. Lille moved up to fourth with a 1-1 draw at home to Toulouse while Clermont won their basement battle with Lorient 1-0. Metz beat Nantes 3-1 and Lens edged out Marseille 1-0 with a last-minute Jonathan Gradit winner. Read More Mauricio Pochettino sure Chelsea can compete with best after Man City thriller From Aguero winner to Keegan dismay, Chelsea-City joins Premier League classics Unai Emery demands consistency from Aston Villa after victory over Fulham I don’t like English referees – Roberto De Zerbi unhappy after Brighton held We’ve just thrown it away – Steve Cooper frustrated as Forest lose at West Ham Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart lead Britain to Billie Jean King Cup win over Sweden

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