Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says it’s up to Harry Maguire to salvage his career at Old Trafford.
The centre-back won’t be joining West Ham this summer, despite United agreeing to sell him for £30 million to the London club.
Maguire knows that he is no longer considered a starter, and he never really has been under Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman’s preferred centre-back pairing consists of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, with Victor Lindelof next in line along with left-back Luke Shaw which puts the England international fifth in the pecking order.
The 30-year-old started just eight Premier League matches last season – and I don’t think he’ll make as many this term, unless United struggle on the injury front.
“It’s up to him,” Ten Hag said when asked what playing time Maguire could expect at United throughout the campaign, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News. “He knows what I expect from him.
“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.
“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.”
United had an injury concern during Monday night’s Premier League opener against Wolves, with Martinez forced off at half-time. The Argentine was replaced by Lindelof but Ten Hag confirmed the Argentine had trained ahead of the trip to Tottenham.
Ultimately, Maguire ought to be naive if he thinks he will get sufficient game time at United. He should get out now while he can.
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