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Erik ten Hag 'assures Harry Maguire he will have plenty of chances'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 05 February 2023

Ten Hag 'assures Maguire he will have plenty of chances'

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag tells Harry Maguire that he will have plenty of football between now and the end of the campaign, according to a report.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has reportedly made it clear to Harry Maguire that the club captain will have plenty of football between now and the end of the campaign.

Having lost his spot as a regular starter, the centre-back was linked with a January exit; Inter Milan, West Ham United and Aston Villa were among the teams to be credited with an interest in the England international, but the transfer window closed with him still at Old Trafford.

Maguire has made 18 appearances for the Red Devils this season, but only nine of those have come in the Premier League, and he has started just four times in England's top flight in 2022-23.

Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are both ahead of the Englishman in the pecking order, while there is an argument that Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are also higher in Ten Hag's thinking when it comes to the starting spots in the middle of the defence.

Maguire was only a late substitute against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, and he is likely to struggle for starts in England's top flight for the remainder of the season.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire reacts on January 3, 2023 © Reuters

However, Ten Hag's side are competing on four fronts, preparing to take on Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final later this month, while they are still in the FA Cup and Europa League.

According to The Sun, the Man United head coach has made it clear to the 29-year-old that he will be given plenty of chances to impress before the end of the campaign.

The report claims that Maguire's 'attitude in training' and overall demeanour has been well received by Ten Hag, who allegedly blocked a January exit to Inter Milan.

The defender's long-term future at Old Trafford is in severe doubt, though, with a number of clubs believed to be keeping a close eye on the developments.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire during training on July 11, 2022 © Reuters

"I am a player, 29 years old, I haven't been in this position in my career," Maguire told ITV Sport after the recent FA Cup win over Reading. "It is a position I do not want to get used to."

"But it is part and parcel in football and I have been working hard every day. I am pushing, I am training well. And when my chance comes, I need to take it.

"We know at this club we need competition for places, we have some top centre-backs at this club. So, I think we are all going to be needed from now until the end of the season.

"I feel like I have looked after myself. I think it has been two-and-a-half weeks since my last start. I have been working hard in training.

"The lads who have been playing have done really well. So when I get the opportunity, I need to take it and make sure we win. It was nice to be out there and helping the lads and I am ready when my chance comes."

Man United are currently preparing for back-to-back Premier League games against Leeds United, with the first of those taking place at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.