Erik ten Hag insists he’s “very completely satisfied” Harry Maguire stays at Manchester United however reiterated he should struggle for his place with Jonny Evans in talks about extending his short-term deal.
Maguire seemed set to depart {Old} Trafford after West Ham agreed a payment within the area of £30m to signal the England worldwide final week, however negotiations broke down and the transfer fell through.
Sky Sports activities Information understands a departure for Maguire, who misplaced the United captaincy earlier this summer time, this late within the switch window would have left the membership with little time to herald a substitute.
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Requested about Maguire’s state of affairs forward of United’s Premier League trip to Tottenham on Saturday, reside on Sky Sports activities, Ten Hag mentioned: “I do not know concerning the course of, solely that Harry is a participant for us, I am completely satisfied he is right here, and we want a superb squad.
“We’ve got 4 good centre-halves, with Luke Shaw then we’ve 5. We want that as a result of we might go on to play 50-60 video games this season.
“All of the gamers are internationals, we’ve quite a lot of fixtures to cowl, so I am very completely satisfied Harry Maguire’s right here. He has to struggle for his place, as does everybody within the squad. We assemble a squad with double positions, however we want it.”
Harry Maguire’s stats since he joined Manchester United from Leicester in 2019
Ten Hag has all the time maintained there’s a place in his squad for Maguire and re-emphasised the 30-year-old nonetheless has the standard to reach Manchester.
“It is as much as him,” Ten Hag replied when requested what Maguire can realistically hope for this season.
“He is aware of what I anticipate from him. He can do it and I’ve advised you a lot occasions earlier than that he has the flexibility to do it, so now he has to indicate it.
“It is about character, to be satisfied, and to play the function. He has all the skills to do it and it is as much as him.”
Ten Hag: I would like Evans to remain
Hypothesis over Maguire’s future this summer time has additionally intensified following the return of former United defender Evans.
Evans signed a short-term deal for pre-season after his contract with Leicester expired and Ten Hag confirmed the Northern Eire worldwide is in talks with the membership about extending his keep.
“Harry Maguire’s state of affairs does not have an effect on it,” Ten Hag mentioned. “We’ll see what occurs. We’re in talks and when we’ve information we’ll deliver that, as all the time. For this month, Jonny is beneath contract.”
On whether or not he would really like Evans to stay on the membership, Ten Hag added: “Yeah, in any other case we would not be speaking.”
‘All positions are lined’
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Manchester United are discovering it ‘more and more troublesome’ to make additional signings with Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire each at present staying at {Old} Trafford
In addition to Evans, United have introduced in goalkeeper Andre Onana, midfielder Mason Mount and striker Rasmus Hojlund in the course of the summer time switch window to this point.
There have been solutions extra signings might be made earlier than the deadline on September 1, however Ten Hag insists he’s completely satisfied together with his present squad.
“Our squad is roofed. All of the positions are lined,” he mentioned. “However after all, we’re Manchester United, we’re all the time searching for enchancment and if there’s the chance then we’ll strike within the final two weeks.
“We’re all the time searching for alternatives, however I believe we’ve a superb squad and with this squad we’re satisfied that we are able to go for our targets.”
Manchester United signed striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for £72m this summer time
‘We should step up’ – Ten Hag on away type
United journey to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night trying to enhance on final season’s dismal away type.
Towards the groups that completed within the prime 10 in the course of the 2022/23 marketing campaign, United collected simply 4 factors from a potential 27 and Ten Hag is decided to make sure that doesn’t occur once more.
“That is one among our goals this season,” the Dutchman mentioned. “We’ve got to step up in away video games and produce greater ranges as a result of that’s the basis for extra factors.
“It is typically to do with character, so that is the demand from me on the gamers. We’ve got to indicate extra character on the pitch to win such video games and to collect extra factors.”
Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag insists his aspect’s away type should enhance this season
Ten Hag: Off-field points do not have an effect on us
Ten Hag was additionally requested about points off the pitch together with Mason Greenwood’s future and the continued possession saga.
United launched an announcement on Wednesday saying they’re in the “final stages” of making a decision on Greenwood, whereas affirmation of the Glazers probably promoting the membership to Sheikh Jassim or Sir Jim Ratcliffe is but to be introduced.
Manchester United have mentioned they’re within the ‘last phases’ of creating a choice on Mason Greenwood’s future
Requested if that uncertainty impacts the gamers and workers, Ten Hag mentioned: “No, that does not concern me. We deal with our method of enjoying and on staff efficiency.
“It is concerning the gamers who can be found, and so we’re focusing now on Tottenham Hotspur. Each begin of the season is troublesome, we all know that and we’re actually conscious of it.
“We had a begin [against Wolves] however we all know the efficiency was not what we hoped. However we gained, it confirmed our character and character, and that is one of many issues we needed to step up.”
Watch Tottenham vs Man Utd reside on Sky Sports activities Premier League and Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion from 5pm on Saturday; kick-off 5.30pm.
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