Erik ten Hag’s second pre-season in charge of Manchester United is officially over as his side played out a dramatic 1-1 draw with Spanish outfit Athletic Club in Dublin.
United were headed towards another pre-season defeat, which would have made it four losses from the last five friendlies but a highly dramatic end to the game culminated in a late equaliser through Facundo Pellistri.
Harry Maguire was one of the first-team regulars that was named in the much-changed starting eleven and the former United skipper was at the centre of attention again.
Maguire was partly at fault for Athletic’s opening goal as his wayward pass was intercepted before the resulting turnover ended with the ball behind Tom Heaton.
He would, however, redeem himself later in the game as he played the all-important assist for Pellistri to equalise – the England international has now been praised by former Red Danny Simpson.
“Absolutely delighted for Harry too, it’s a great knock down and he put it right in the area you want. Some players take that early and Facundo waited really well. It’s a great finish,” Simpson is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website.
Maguire’s future remains up in the air amid reported interest from West Ham and there was one telling sign he may not be in Ten Hag’s plans going forward.
Maguire was United’s captain for over three years after being named skipper by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020 but he was demoted by Ten Hag this summer.
Bruno Fernandes will wear the armband from now on and even when the Portuguese international wasn’t on the pitch, Ten Hag did not feel Maguire was the right pick.
Instead, veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who is another player rumoured to be of interest to Premier League clubs, wore the armband for the 90 minutes.
