Erik ten Hag stripped Harry Maguire of the Manchester United captaincy earlier this summer (Picture: MUTV)
Erik ten Hag offered a blunt assessment of Harry Maguire’s chances of forcing his way back into his plans following the collapse of his proposed transfer to West Ham,
The England defender has endured a turbulent 18 months during which his form has deteriorated to such an extent that he is now behind left-back Luke Shaw in his manager’s central defensive pecking order.
There appeared no way back for Maguire when Ten Hag unceremoniously stripped the 30-year-old of the club captaincy earlier this summer.
United subsequently agreed a £30million deal with West Ham but that transfer fell through earlier this week with Maguire reportedly keen to remain at Old Trafford and fight for his place.
‘It’s up to him [how much he plays],’ Ten Hag bristled, when asked how much football Maguire could expect to play this season.
‘He knows what to expect from me. I’ve been here for one year now and you know what I expect from a centre half.
‘And he can do it, I’ve told you many times before he has the ability to do it so now he has to show it.
Harry Maguire was an unused substitute against Wolves on Monday night (Picture: Getty)
‘It is then about character, to be convinced to play that role, he has all the abilities to do it and it is up to him when the time [opportunity] is there.
‘Harry is a player for us, I am happy he is here, we need a good squad, we have four good centre-halves – including Luke Shaw we have five – and we need it because we are going to play 50-60 games this season.
‘All the players are internationals, so we have a very heavy load to cover so I am happy Harry Maguire is here.’
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United had been linked with a move for versatile Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard but Maguire’s continued presence at the club appears to have quelled the need for reinforcements.
‘Our squad is covered – all the positions are covered – but of course, we are Manchester United and we are always looking for improvement and when there is the opportunity we will strike in the last two weeks.
‘As I said we are always looking for opportunities but I think we have a good squad. [With] this squad we are convinced we can go for our targets.’
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