Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has issued a ruthless warning to West Ham target Harry Maguire, despite claiming that he is “happy” with the England defender.
Maguire endured a turbulent campaign for United last season and was left fighting for his career at Old Trafford after falling down the pecking order under Ten Hag.
The 30-year-old United defender then suffered a major blow this summer after he was stripped of the captain’s armband, plunging his future at Old Trafford into further doubt.
Maguire, who was appointed United captain under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020, is now tipped to leave the Red Devils and sign for West Ham before the window closes.
READ MORE: Why Harry Maguire’s exit from Manchester United hasn’t been confirmed yet
Erik Ten Hag sends challenge to Harry Maguire
According to reports, United have accepted a £30m bid from West Ham for Maguire, who must make the decision on whether or not to move to the Hammers this summer.
It is unclear if Ten Hag will involve Maguire for United’s opening Premier League match against Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday evening, with kick-off slated for 8pm UK time.
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Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag made it clear that Maguire must “prove” his place at United or leave the club if he can’t find his confidence.
“He has the ability to be a top-class centre-back. He is the best for England so why shouldn’t he be the best for us?” Ten Hag said.
“But he has to prove it. When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to go, then he has to make a decision. But I’m happy with him.”
David Moyes awaiting Harry Maguire’s decision
Ten Hag has preferred a United first-team partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, with Maguire deemed as surplus to requirements.
The United boss even opted to play Luke Shaw ahead of Maguire, who has been heavily criticised for his mistakes, at centre-back last season.
Speaking on Friday last week (via BBC Sport), West Ham manager David Moyes confirmed that United had accepted the Hammers’ bid for Maguire.
“We’ve had an offer from Manchester City [for Lucas Paqueta] but at the moment, it’s not anywhere near meeting our valuation,” he said.
“James Ward-Prowse is having a medical just now. We’ve agreed a fee but it’s not right I speak about him as he’s not yet our player.
“We’ve had a bid accepted from Manchester United [for Maguire], but while he’s not our player I’m not in a position to discuss him really.”