Maguire sustained a calf injury during training at the start of May and was unable to recover in time for the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City at Wembley four weeks later.
A further setback while on international duty resulted in Southgate omitting him from the final 26-man squad for Euro 2024.
“Missing out was difficult,” Maguire shared.
“It’s been incredibly frustrating to work throughout the season to reach my peak mentally and physically, aiming to contribute significantly to Manchester United and my national team.”
The 31-year-old received considerable acclaim last season for his determination to remain with United after being stripped of the captaincy by manager Erik ten Hag and sometimes finding himself as the fifth choice central defender, behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans.
Maguire made 31 appearances across all competitions, even though he did not start a Premier League match until October.
United invested £52 million in 18-year-old French defender Leny Yoro, but Maguire insists he is prepared for a renewed battle for his spot in the starting lineup.
“Last year brought a lot of uncertainty regarding my future, but after speaking with the manager, he reassured me about my position, expressing his belief in me and the chances I would receive,” Maguire explained.
“I demonstrated last season that when I got the opportunities, I took them effectively.”
United’s FA Cup final win altered the narrative surrounding Ten Hag and likely preserved his position.
However, Maguire is aware that finishing eighth in the Premier League was insufficient.
With Dan Ashworth now established as sporting director and Omar Berrada taking on the role of chief executive, Maguire anticipates progress but is realistic about the challenges ahead for United.
“I don’t believe we’ll jump from an eighth-place finish to winning all trophies instantly,” he stated.
“However, I genuinely feel we are moving in the right direction now, and the decisions made at the top will assist this club in returning to its rightful place.”
