Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is reportedly determined to fight for his future at the club amid suggestions that the centre-back could leave Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window.
The 29-year-old found it difficult to show his best form for the club last term, while he also struggled in the team's opening two games of this season against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag decided to drop Maguire to the bench for Monday's clash against Liverpool, with Raphael Varane partnering new signing Lisandro Martinez in the middle of the defence.
Varane and Martinez both impressed in the home side's 2-1 victory, and the pair are likely to retain their spots in the XI for Saturday's trip to Southampton.
Maguire's future at Old Trafford has recently been called into question, with Chelsea said to be exploring the possibility of signing the England international before the transfer deadline.
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However, according to the Daily Mail, the centre-back has no plans to seek an exit and will battle to save his career with the 20-time English champions.
Maguire, who moved to the Red Devils from Leicester City in August 2019, still has another three years left to run on his contract at Old Trafford, with the option of another 12 months.
Barcelona are believed to have been in touch over a possible move to Camp Nou earlier this summer, but the Catalan outfit ultimately moved onto other targets and are no longer interested in his signature.
There had been calls for Man United boss Ten Hag to take the captain's armband away from Maguire following a difficult 2021-22 campaign, but the defender was kept in the role by the new manager.
"Some players, especially with some of the criticism flying around, would have been desperate to go if Barcelona came calling. But Harry is unmoved and wants to have a successful season with United," The Mirror quoted a source close to Maguire as saying when the Barcelona interest emerged.
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"When it comes to mental strength, Harry has it in spades. As usual he will get down to doing what he does best."
Earlier this summer, Ten Hag insisted that he would "support" Maguire this season but also spoke of the "internal competition" that exists in the squad.
"Harry has proved it in the past, but he has also to prove it in the present and in the future. I will support him everywhere I can. In the end, he has to do it by himself, and he has the qualities to do it. He's shown it so often in the past. He's played 60 times for England. Harry is really impressive and I expect a lot from him," said Ten Hag when asked about his captain.
"But there is also internal competition and that is what a club like United needs. You cannot win with 11 players. We need a squad, especially this season with so many games. We have the Europa League, the Premier League and the World Cup, so we need a full squad with high-quality players not quantity."
Cristiano Ronaldo was also dropped from the starting XI against Liverpool on Monday evening and only appeared as a late substitute, with the speculation surrounding his future continuing as the end of the transfer window draws closer.
Matt Law
