Erik ten Hag has been asked whether Harry Maguire is now Manchester United’s fifth choice central defender.
Luke Shaw has played at the heart of defence at times since the World Cup, and Maguire of course also has Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof for competition.
Maguire has started just twice for United since the World Cup, in 3-0 home wins over Bournemouth and Charlton.
At his press conference before United face Reading tonight, Ten Hag faced a question about Maguire and challenged him to transform his fortunes.
Ten Hag challenges Maguire to turn his fortunes around
He said: “No he is not fifth choice but I have to say it is up to him.
“He is training very well, he brings quality and that is what I expect from all the players in the squad. He has to fight for his position in the squad. Things can change and they can also do so sometimes really quickly. He is making progress and I think it is up to him.”
Ten Hag was then pressed on his lack of use of Maguire, and said: “That is not completely true. That is not true. After the World Cup, he should have played but he got ill.
“There is nothing I can do about that. He knows that and then you come in [during a good] run, and he has to wait for his chance. They are the laws of top-level football and selection. Then you have to wait for your chance and in the meantime you have to work well to prove the chance is there.”
Maguire enjoyed an outstanding World Cup and he might have hoped that would prove to be a catalyst for turning his season around.
It has not yet worked out that way, and he may well have been surprised to see Shaw deployed at centre-half ahead of him at times.
But is good for United to have established international options as squad options in as many areas of the pitch as possible.
That is especially true with such a hectic schedule ahead, which should give Maguire opportunities if Ten Hag rotates, potentially starting at home to Reading tonight.
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