MANCHESTER UNITED manager Erik ten Hag insists it is up to Harry Maguire to save his Old Trafford career.
Maguire only managed eight Premier League starts last season and was stripped of the captain’s armband by Ten Hag during pre-season.
That almost led the centre-back to a move to West Ham, but a deal collapsed due to his financial demands.
The Hammers had a £30million bid accepted by United and the transfer was all sorted.
However, as revealed by SunSport, the England international told the Red Devils he wanted £15m as he would surrender his £190,000-a-week contract for reduced £120,000 weekly wages in East London.
David Moyes’ side grew so frustrated with waiting for the 30-year-old to secure a pay-out from the Manchester giants that they walked away from negotiations and turned to other targets, such as Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Rad More on Man Utd
Thus, Maguire is likely to stay and fight for a place in Ten Hag’s starting line-up this season.
However, the Dutch tactician sent the defender a blunt message insisting that he will have to step up his game.
Ten Hag said: “It’s up to him. He knows what I expect from him. I’ve been here for one year now and you know what I expect from a centre-half.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“And he can do it, I’ve told you many times before he has the ability to do it so now he has to show it.
Most read in Football
“It is then about character, to be convinced to play that role, he has all the abilities to do it and it is up to him when the time is there.
“Harry is a player for us, I am happy he is here, we need a good squad, we have four good centre-halves – including Luke Shaw we have five – and we need it because we are going to play 50-60 games this season.
“All the players are internationals, so we have a very heavy load to cover so I am happy Harry Maguire is here.”
Harry is a player for us, I am happy he is here, we need a good squad, we have four good centre-halves – including Luke Shaw we have five.
Erik ten Hag on Maguire
However, Maguire is facing the prospect of being dumped to fifth choice at centre-back.
Ten Hag started Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane on Monday’s Premier League kick-off against Wolves.
When Martinez was substituted at half-time, the 53-year-old head coach opted for Victor Lindelof.
The ex-Ajax boss often preferred left-back Luke Shaw over Maguire last season as well.
And now Jonny Evans looks set to return to United on a one-year deal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
