Harry Maguire has received a warning from Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag that a spot in the starting eleven will not always be guaranteed for him.
The central defender, who cost £85 million, put up a number of standout performances as Gareth Southgate’s team advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals.
He began every game for the Three Lions, and he and Manchester City star John Stones made an outstanding defensive pairing.
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It would be fair to assume that he was able to disprove many of his critics given the severe criticism he endured in the lead-up to the competition.
But that does not always mean that Ten Hag will give him a spot in the backline next to Raphael Varane or Lisandro Martinez.
The former Leicester City defender has only played in four of a possible 14 Premier League games this season while dealing with a hamstring issue.
Ten Hag’s favoured back four combination appears to be French defender Varane and summer acquisition Martinez. Maguire does possess the talent to be a top-tier player for United, according to Ten Hag.
“Only when he doesn’t want to be in these circumstances any more,” Ten Hag said when asked if Maguire could depart the club. “Until that moment, I am happy with him.”
“I can only battle this after being asked many times if he is good enough,” Ten Hag added. “It is clear he is good enough to play at the highest level. Then it is up to him to show that confidence on the pitch and he didn’t show that in all the games.”
“We want him to bring that back to Manchester with him so he can bring it on the pitch for United.”
“When he is playing with his confidence like now he is a massively important player for us and that is what everyone expects.”
“That’s what Harry expects from himself. He has that high standard, he wants to play at the highest level, he wants to lead the defensive line, so it is up to him.”
“I’m sure he has the potential to play in our style and fit into our system. He had a period in Manchester where he performed badly and then, of course, there are difficulties but when he is confident in himself, he will put that on the pitch.”
“When he is working hard you will get that confidence and you are seeing that with the way he was playing for England.”
“I expect from him, the team knows what they expect from him. If he does that he will be a great player for us.”
Also read: ERIK TEN HAG vows to make Marcus Rashford the best striker to surpass Kylian Mbappe.
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