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Erik ten Hag "happy" to have Harry Maguire at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag says that he is "happy" to have central defender Harry Maguire at the club.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that he is "happy" to have Harry Maguire at the club, with a proposed move to West Ham United seemingly breaking down.

Maguire had looked certain to leave the Red Devils when it was revealed that West Ham had been successful in a recent £30m offer for the England international.

However, the 30-year-old will allegedly no longer be moving to the London Stadium, with Man United expecting him to remain at Old Trafford past the transfer deadline.

Maguire only started eight Premier League matches last season and is likely to again struggle for regular action this term, with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof ahead of him in the pecking order.

Luke Shaw was also used ahead of Maguire last season when Martinez and Varane were both injured, and the former Sheffield United youngster had the captain's armband taken away from him earlier this summer.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on July 30, 2023© Reuters

Ten Hag was asked about the centre-back during his press conference to preview Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur in North London.

The Dutchman has insisted that there will be plenty of chances for Maguire to break into the side, with Man United competing in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup this term.

"Well, that process (possible move to West Ham), that's what I don't know. Only Harry is a player from us, I'm happy he's here. So, we need a good squad," Ten Hag told reporters.

"We have four good centre-halves, even with Luke Shaw if you count him we have five, and we need that because we're going to play 50 or 60 games this season.

Harry Maguire pictured on June 16, 2023© Reuters

"All the players are internationals, so we have a lot of load to cover. So, I'm very happy Harry Maguire is here. He has to fight for his position, as [does] everyone in the squad. So, we construct a squad with the double positions, but we need it."

"It's up to him. He knows what I expect from him. I think I'm now for one year here. You know what I expect from a centre-half and he can do it.

"I told you many times before he has the abilities to do it, so now he has to show it. It's about character, to be convinced to play that role. He has all the abilities to do it, and it's up to him when the time is there."

Martinez went off injured with a slight ankle problem against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night, but it was Lindelof and not Maguire that entered as his replacement.

Ten Hag has said that Martinez should be fit for the clash with Spurs, which will almost certainly see Maguire named among the Man United substitutes once again.

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Written by
Matt Law

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