United in Focus has picked out three Manchester United players who need to improve in 2023 or risk being moved on by Erik ten Hag.
Harry Maguire
The world’s most expensive defender has only started one Premier League game since August with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez seemingly becoming United’s first choice centre-back partnership.
The 29-year-old, who was signed from Leicester City for £80m, has shone in the last three major international tournaments alongside John Stones.
But the 53-time Three Lions international doesn’t look comfortable playing in a Ten Hag side that plays with a high defensive line.
United’s number five doesn’t possess the recovery pace to make up the ground on quick forwards, and while Maguire isn’t going to call it quits on his Old Trafford career, the Red Devils club captain will want to play regular first team football.
Time will tell whether that’s at the Theatre of Dreams or not, but the jury is out.
Donny van de Beek
It’s clear that Ten Hag’s first choice midfield trio is Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.
United’s number 34 has been given chances under his former Ajax manager, but if we’re being brutally honest – the Dutchman looks somewhat lost on a football pitch currently.
He’s a shadow of the player who became one of the most sought-after midfielders in European football during his success with Ten Hag in Amsterdam and moved to Manchester United for £35m.
It’s hard to see the 25-year-old ever nailing down a first team spot at Old Trafford, but after failing to shine during his loan spell with Everton, a season-long loan might be last roll of the dice to try and ignite van de Beek’s stagnating career.
Jadon Sancho
It was quite the omission from Ten Hag to say United’s number 25 isn’t “fit enough”.
The 22-year-old is yet to hit lift off on his Manchester United career following his £73m move from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
It said more about where Sancho stands under England manager Gareth Southgate that the Three Lions boss wasn’t even asked why Sancho wasn’t in his squad by reporters, than him being overlooked in the first place.
Sancho has eight goals and four assists from 52 appearances for the Red Devils, but after starting the season in good form after impressing during Tour 22, the former Manchester City youngster has took several steps backwards.
With Alejandro Garnacho’s emergence showing no signs of slowing, Sancho needs to step up as his battle for minutes will only intensify when Ten Hag makes more forward signings.
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