ERIK TEN HAG has hailed Harry Maguire as a leading “example” of commitment in his struggling side.
The Manchester United skipper was once again the target of scrutiny following the Red Devils’ Europa League exit at the hands of Sevilla on Thursday night.
Maguire was at fault for the first goal of the 3-0 defeat, calling for the ball and playing a lazy pass which was intercepted by the Spaniards.
The England international will not get a chance to redeem himself in United’s FA Cup semi-final with Brighton on Sunday as he’s suspended.
Despite his continued woes on the pitch, it seems that Ten Hag has some faith in the under-fire centre-back.
The Dutchman said of Maguire: “He has an important role, he is the captain.
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“He leads and he communicates with the manager, motivates the team, he’s the example in the training space.”
Ten Hag is expected to have a major clearout of the deadwood at Old Trafford as he continues to implement his own ethos on the club.
And he recently warned his misfiring troops that they’re all playing for their futures.
He said: “I think we always playing for our future as professional players.
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“Every game is a test, every season is a test, you have to earn the right to wear the shirt.
“It’s for me as a manager. We are in the same boat.
“During the season we make huge progress. We have the experience but we have a way to go.
“A good thing is Sunday is a huge opportunity, semi-final of the FA Cup, a better event you can’t imagine.
“After that [we have] a lot of great games to go, we have to prove it and this group of players has to prove it,’ he added.
“He has an important role, he is the captain, he leads and he communicates with the manager, motivates the team, he’s the example in the training space.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
