Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has clashed with Erik Ten Hag on how he has treated England star, Harry Maguire.
The 44-year-old accused Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag of disrespecting Harry Maguire and have asked the England star to leave the club.
Rio Ferdinand, who is now a pundit, made 455 appearances for the Reds, winning every major club honor and trophy throughout his 12 years stint at the club.
Candidly dismissing Erik Ten Hag’s new maneuvers in Manchester United’s starting lineup, Rio Ferdinand, who is regarded as one of the most legendary center-backs United ever produce, said he would exit Manchester United if he was Harry Maguire.
Recently, Erik Ten Hag has deployed a controversial tactic that has seen him switch roles at the club, starting Luke Shaw as center-back instead of using him as a wing-back, which he is known for.
Berating such maneuvers that has diminished Harry Maguire’s role in the team, Rio Ferdinand argued the move by Erik Ten Hag is enough reason for Harry Maguire to quit the team.
The former Man United defender’s concern hinges on the fact Erik Ten Hag is surreptitiously wiping off Harry Maguire from the team, and that need not be when the Three Lions star delivered a masterclass display for England in the just-concluded 2022 World Cup campaign.
Speaking on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: ‘Luke Shaw’s playing center-back instead of him.
“That’s like me going back after the World Cup, playing well, everyone saying he’s done really well, and Patrice Evra is playing center-back.
“I’d want to strangle Patrice! I would’ve smashed Patrice in training to make sure he’s not available, and I’d be going to the manager and saying, ‘are you taking the piss out of me, boss?’. I’d have walked straight into the manager’s office and said, ‘you’re disrespecting me.”
Rio Ferdinand added it is high time the Three Lions star quit the club as his role has now been diminished to only cup games instead of the Premier League.
“Harry Maguire’s got to move”, the Manchester United legend added. “I think he stays because of the games and they can’t get someone else in. He plays in the cup games.”
Harry Maguire has struggled to start for Manchester United in major games after the former Ajax manager assumed the reins as Man United manager.
Ten Hag signed Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, who usurped Harry Maguire’s position, reducing him to cameo appearances off the bench.
Despite his struggles at Manchester United for enough playing time, Harry Maguire was included in the Three Lions’ World Cup squad, and the 29-year-old put club woes behind him as he produced a run of impressive performances during the tournament.
Even Erik Ten Hag commended Harry Maguire’s performance with the Three Lions at the World Cup and was eager to have him replicate the same form at Manchester United.
However, Harry Maguire’s post-World Cup return to the Red Devils has failed to revive his dwindling Man United career.
Erik Ten Hag is still bent on leaving the Man United captain and former Leicester City star on the bench and has chosen to play Luke Shaw in the center-back position.
This has angered Rio Ferdinand, who has urged Harry to find his way out of the club.
Harry Maguire joined Manchester United in 2019 for £89million, signing a six-year contract. He is the team captain, albeit that has not helped his plight under Erik Ten Hag.
There were rumors linking him to an Aston Villa move, but it was soon debunked by the club. As things stand, it appears the situation of Harry Maguire is not about putting up an impressive performance for the national team, but fitting into Erik Ten Hag’s plan for the Red Devils.
What befalls Cristiano Ronaldo may likely hit the door of Harry Maguire, and he may end up watching more from the bench under Erik Ten Hag than playing the game.
