Harry Maguire Can Be A 'Great Player' For Manchester United, Says Erik Ten Hag

Harry Maguire can be a "great player" for Manchester United if he can replicate his England form with the Old Trafford side, according to head coach Erik ten Hag.

Maguire has made just one Premier League appearance since August after he was dropped in favour of Raphael Varane following Manchester United's 4-0 defeat to Brentford. Apart from his poor form, the 29-year-old defender also suffered a hamstring injury that kept him away from action for seven matches.

Maguire has played only four Premier League matches this season.

However, England boss Gareth Southgate backed Maguire and started him in every game in their run to the World Cup quarter-final, where France defeated them 2-1.

"I've been asked many times. It's clear he is good enough to play at the highest level. He has, for England, good games almost all the time. He had a period in Manchester where he performed badly. Then, of course there are difficulties," Ten Hag said in an interview.

Except for England's opening fixture in the Qatar World Cup, which they won 6-1, Maguire played the full 90 minutes in all other games. In the match against Iran, the center-back was substituted in the 70th minute.

"But when he is working hard, he gets that confidence. You are seeing that with the way he is playing for England. We want him to bring it on the pitch for Manchester United. I expect from him, the team knows what they expect from him. If he does that, he will be a great player for us," added Ten Hag.

The Dutch boss has so far preferred Varane and Lisandro Martinez as his center-back pair this season, with both players still alive in the 2022 World Cup. Varane's France will take on Morocco in the semi-final, while Martinez's Argentina will face off against Croatia for a place in the final.

The 2022-23 campaign will resume after the World Cup, with Manchester United scheduled to take on Burnley on Dec. 21 in the League Cup. However, Maguire is expected to start for the Red Devils only when they host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Dec. 27. Ten Hag said the center-back would be given a fair chance to become a starter at the club once again.

"I have two or three good players in the right center-back position. After Brentford, I had to change the mentality. He was unlucky that moment was bad for him but it doesn't say anything about his quality. Rapha came in and is doing a good job. You have to take your chance. The only thing he has to do is train well and perform well. He has games, he has rhythm. His chance will come," Ten Hag added.

Manchester United recently lost two club friendlies: 4-2 vs. Cadiz, and 1-0 vs. Real Betis.