Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been impressed by how Harry Maguire has reacted to losing the Red Devils captaincy in the summer.
The heavily criticised centre-back started the season the fringes of the United squad, but now he is one of the first names in the defence for each game due to a number of injuries depleting Ten Hag’s squad.
However, whether Maguire would be in the team if it wasn’t for injuries isn’t up for debate here, instead we’re talking about how good form and how a lot of people are changing their opinions on him being a squad member at the very least.
Ten Hag is currently without Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, but Maguire has put that to his advanced by getting back into the team to impress the manager.
The England international made just eight starts last season. He stayed despite being stripped of the club captaincy, with Bruno Fernandes taking the armband instead.
According to ESPN, Ten Hag has been happy with the attitude shown by Maguire since learning he would no longer be club captain. It presumably came as a relief to the England centre-back.
“I have to say Harry Maguire is playing like we want to him play,” Ten Hag said before United took on Luton Town, as quoted by BBC Sport. “Very proactive out of possession, dominating his opponent, stepping in when necessary, reading the game, good covering but also in possession very proactive, stepping in, delivering good passes, switching. I am happy with his performance.”
Martinez is out for the foreseeable future which means Ten Hag will be relying on Maguire for another while.
Less will be said about Maguire starting for England now he’s back playing regularly for United again.
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