Harry Maguire has vowed to keep fighting for his place at Manchester United with the club captain's playing time having become increasingly limited at Old Trafford.

Maguire was handed a rare start by Erik ten Hag as he partnered Lisandro Martinez in central defence in the Red Devils' 3-0 win over Charlton in their Carabao Cup quarter-final. 

The World Cup had also seen Maguire produce a series of assured displays during England's run to the quarter-finals, which was expected to help revive his Manchester United career.

Maguire started on the bench for United's first four matches after the World Cup break but the 29-year-old completed the full 90 minutes against Bournemouth in the Premier League and against Charlton in the Carabao Cup.

The England international admitted his return from the World Cup had been hampered by illness but insisted he would fight for his spot in the team.  

'It felt good, I played last week as well against Bournemouth,' Maguire told ESPN.

'I was unfortunate in terms of when I come back from the World Cup, I had a bad illness, to be honest, and it knocked me back for one or two weeks.

'I feel good now. 

'We have a lot of good centre-halves at this club, there's a lot of competition for places and I'll keep fighting.'

Ten Hag has preferred Raphael Varane and Martinez as his centre back pairing this season.

Maguire's long-term future at Old Trafford appeared to be dealt a further blow when left-back Luke Shaw featured in central defence in recent weeks while he was left on the bench.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand called for Maguire to push for a move from the club, claiming Ten Hag had been 'disrespectful' for playing Shaw in his place.

Having arrived at the Theatre of Dreams on a six-year contract for £80million in 2019, Maguire was handed the club captaincy.

But, a little more than three years into his deal, it appears Maguire's time at the club could soon be brought to a premature end.

Rumours surfaced on Twitter on Sunday that Maguire was close to joining Aston Villa, but these were quickly dismissed.

The defender was pictured at a restaurant near Unai Emery's side's Bodymoor Heath training ground on Saturday, sparking rumours that the England star could be on his way out of Old Trafford before it emerged that he was playing golf at The Belfry.