Harry Maguire has been advised by Erik ten Hag that he must fight for his position at Manchester United or quit the team.
At Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag is willing to allow Harry Maguire, the 29-year-old England defender to earn his favour once again after an encouraging performance at Qatar World Cup.
However, the manager of the Red Devils claims that the England center-back will decide where his future rest as he may end up at Manchester United’s bench despite starting at the FIFA World Cup.
When asked if Maguire could leave, Ten Hag said, “Only when he doesn’t want to stay here any longer.”
“I am content with him right now,” the Dutch coach added.
The 29-year-old defender was Gareth Southgate’s first pick, and had a run of comfortable displays during England’s time in Qatar.
Hence, Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has encouraged Harry Maguire to carry over his England form to Manchester United.
Maguire has been given hope that under Ten Hag, he may fight his way back into the Man United first eleven. The defender has only played four times in the Premier League this year, but he started every match for England at the World Cup as the Three Lions advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by France.
After United’s second game of the season ended in a 4-0 loss to Brentford, Ten Hag picked Varane in place of Maguire, and the team went on to beat Liverpool 2-1. In Maguire’s five starts for United this season, there have been two wins and three losses.
Maguire still has to fight to reclaim his spot in the United team since Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have been Ten Hag’s go-to center-back partnership.
Since both defenders are still competing in the World Cup, Maguire will have the opportunity to start competing for a starting position early ahead of Manchester United return to Premier League action on December 27 against Nottingham Forest.
While Maguire has had trouble with his club form, he has generally played well for England, where he has continued to be selected frequently.
Southgate and England were rewarded with a succession of authoritative displays from Maguire, who was at his best alongside longtime defensive partner John Stones, after claiming before the World Cup that he would keep his spot in the team.
Following his Saturday night defeat by France in the quarterfinals, Maguire expressed his disappointment but then came out swinging, insisting he was “proud” of himself for proving some of his critics wrong.
If a defender who cost £80 million from Leicester in 2019 is not playing more frequently, Manchester United and Maguire will need to make a significant choice in the summer.
Along with the other Manchester United players who were eliminated along with England, Portugal, Brazil, and Holland in the quarterfinals, Maguire has been handed a week off.
Before joining the Manchester United team for the second half of the season, Maguire will take a brief break.
