Ten Hag confirms Maguire disappointment as he discusses if he's in his plans

21 July 2023 , 19:09

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Ten Hag confirms Maguire disappointment as he discusses if he's in his plans

Erik ten Hag has reiterated Harry Maguire's importance to Manchester United and is hoping the England international will remain at Old Trafford this summer.

Maguire's future has come under further scrutiny this week after he was axed from his role as club captain, with United confirming on Thursday that Bruno Fernandes had taken that position. Maguire has also not been included in Ten Hag's five-man 'leadership group' ahead of the new campaign.

Despite this, Ten Hag is eager to keep Maguire at the Red Devils and have four centre-backs going into the 2023/24 season. Speaking on the club's pre-season tour in the United States, Ten Hag hailed Maguire as an "important" player and admitted he is "pleased" to still have him at the club.

"I think everyone can understand that for a player it's a disappointment but it can work out very good for the team and for Harry," he said. "He's an important player, we need four centre-backs minimum you have seen last season we play so many games and we are really pleased to have Harry in our squad."

Maguire was United's fourth-choice centre-back last season behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof. In fact, Luke Shaw was also often preferred to the ex-Leicester star in central defence as Maguire saw his game time severely limited.

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The 30-year-old made 16 top-flight appearances in total and has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham and several other Premier League clubs this summer. But Ten Hag doesn't want to lose Maguire and has told him to fight for his place in the starting XI.

Erik ten Hag is hoping to keep Harry Maguire at Manchester United (Getty Images)

"It's less responsibility in that perspective, we need more than 11 players, we need that competition so he can fight himself in the team, he has potential, it's up to him to get his position," Ten Hag added.

"Now we can focus more on his role but centre back has to communicate, organise, it's a big area where you have to perform as a centre half, there is prevention that you have to come into action."

United are currently out in the United States ahead of four friendlies. They will face Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on Saturday, before taking on Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Upon their return to England, the Red Devils are due to host RC Lens and Atletico Bilbao at Old Trafford. Those two fixtures will take place on August 5 and August 6, with two separate squads expected to be picked for each match.

The Bilbao fixture is eight days before United's Premier League opener at home to Wolves. Ten Hag's men will also face Tottenham and Nottingham Forest in August.

Kieran King