Harry Maguire should leave Manchester United if he isn’t confident enough to fight for place: Erik ten Hag

Manchester United head coach Erik Ten Hag feels former skipper Harry Maguire should leave Manchester United if he isn’t confident enough to fight for his place. The Red Devils will begin their Premier League 2023-24 campaign against Wolves on Monday night at their home ground of Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Maguire could only play 16 matches across competitions in the last season. Erik Ten Hag gave more opportunities to the duo of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez as center-back and thus Maguire could only get limited game time.

In fact, before the previous season, Maguire was a consistent starter for Manchester United. He was named captain by former boss Ole Solskjaer in January 2020.

Maguire had done a decent job for England in the FIFA World Cup 2022 but he was not included in the Red Devils’ starting XI on a consistent basis by the Dutchman.

The 53-year-old tactician added that Maguire will have to fight for his place in the team and he could leave if he isn’t confident to do that.

“He has to fight for his place and he has the abilities to be a top-class centre-back,” Ten Hag told reporters. “He is the best for England and I assume he will be best for us, but he has to prove it.

“When he is not confident enough to go in and fight, then he has to go. He has to make a decision. But I am happy with him … You need high-level players who are maybe not starting, but that can change.”

According to InStat, Maguire made 16 errors leading to opposition goals in one campaign. After Maguire was removed by Erik Ten Hag as captain, Bruno Fernandes has been appointed as the leader of the team.