Erik ten Hag admits he is relieved Harry Maguire stayed at Man United amid injury crisis – after the defender was stripped of the captaincy and rejected West Ham last summer
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Erik ten Hag is delighted – and relieved – that Harry Maguire stayed at Manchester United last summer after the England international emerged as a defensive mainstay amid the club’s injury crisis this season.
United go into Saturday’s midday game at Bournemouth without six defenders, with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Tyrell Malacia all on the sidelines.
Maguire is expected to play alongside teenager Willy Kambwala again after the Ten Hag were forced to resort to their 12th different centre-back pairing – and 28th back-four – of the season against Liverpool last weekend.
The 31-year-old could have left United last summer after becoming disillusioned with his lack of first-team appearances, with United accepting a £30m bid from West Ham.
However, Ten Hag are delighted Maguire stayed after United’s £80m target from Leicester City has made 27 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
Erik Ten Hag (R) has admitted relief that Harry Maguire stayed at the club this summer
Maguire was linked with a move away from the club but has emerged as a savior in their defensive crisis
He will start in defense again alongside teenager Willy Kambwala (R) against Bournemouth at the weekend
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“We’ve always been very happy for Harry Maguire but he wants to play,” the United boss said. – He is a fantastic leader, he is a very good defender and very comfortable on the ball.
‘When I count all those abilities, we have problems in our defensive line, he is even more important to lead that line and make us play from the back. We are very happy that he is there and we need him to achieve our results and achieve our goals.’
On the lack of a settled back-four, Ten Hag added: ‘It’s very difficult. So anyone who has a little bit of knowledge about football, they know that it will affect your results and performance. Back-fire is always the basis for getting a result. We still have to win, we know that. Others must take responsibility.’
