Manager Erik ten Hag has hinted that Harry Maguire, the captain of Manchester United FC, may leave the club during the forthcoming summer if he is not content with his squad role. Ten Hag has suggested that the decision of whether to stay or leave lies solely with the 28-year-old defender.
Maguire has slipped down the pecking order at Man United lately, which has resulted in Y Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez being preferred at the back. Maguire is now the club’s fifth-choice option with Victor Lindelof preferred in Martinez’s absence since the Argentine’s season-ending injury with Luke Shaw also shifted inside this season.
Maguire started just 16 games in all competitions this season for Man United and has become a secondary choice since the arrival of Varane, who has been very impressive after joining from Real Madrid.
Though Ten Hag admires the captain’s professionalism and leadership qualities, he stated that no player would be happy with his current situation.
“Yes, but he [Harry Maguire] has high competition there with Raphael Varane [at centre back], who is fantastic. That describes everything. No one would be happy with this situation. He is not as well. He trains always on the best levels, so with 100 percent effort.” said Ten Hag to The Times.
Given the circumstances, Ten Hag suggested that the final decision remains with the England international himself and added that he would be delighted if Maguire stayed. The defender featured in his team’s last Premier League match of the season against Fulham with the expectation that he will start on the bench for their FA Cup final match against Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.
