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Tag: Maguire

  • Ten Hag believes in under-fire Harry Maguire

    Ten Hag believes in under-fire Harry Maguire

    Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have returned to training ahead of the Manchester derby but under-fire Harry Maguire will be absent.

    But Maguire is a player Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is convinced will turn things around.

    The improving Red Devils will this weekend play their first English Premier League (EPL) match since beating Arsenal 3-1 on Sept. 4.

    This was after the Crystal Palace and Leeds United fixtures were called off following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

    High-flying neighbours Manchester City are sure to provide a stern test for Manchester United, who go looking for a fifth successive Premier League victory without skipper Maguire in the squad.

    The centre-back picked up a knock during the international break with England —- a period that forwards Rashford and Martial spent working their way back to fitness.

    “Harry Maguire is injured,” Ten Hag said. “I think for the rest we have some doubts with Anthony Martial.

    “But he was training all week with the group. So, I’m really happy with that situation. He’s performing really well in training, he makes a good impression.

    “Rashford, he returns into training. So, also, we are happy with that. For the rest, I think only the long-term injuries like Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams are not available.”

    Maguire played the entirety of England’s loss to Italy last Friday.

    That was before completing another 90 minutes against Germany, when he gave away a penalty kick and lost possession before the visitors’ second at Wembley.

    That display led to renewed talk about Gareth Southgate’s loyalty to the 29-year-old, who has been out of form and favour at Manchester United this season.

    But Ten Hag, like the England manager, retains faith in Maguire and is certain he will improve.

    “First of all, of course I have to coach him. I have to back him,” the Manchester United manager said. “But I back him because I believe in him.

    “In the period I worked with him in pre-season was good, I think I will say really good —- training and games.

    “Then he fell out (of the starting line-up). But it’s also to do with the good performance of the centre-backs who are playing now.

    “But I can see the qualities. Even after he wasn’t in the team, he trained really well but more important the quality was really there.

    “You see his career, almost 50 caps for England. With Leicester City and Manchester United, he’s performing really well. So, what you see is he has a high potential.

    “Then it’s about him. The players in the dressing room, the coaches, the manager, we all believe in him. Now it is about him.

    “That is what I told him. I’m sure he can do it. He will turn around this. I am really convinced of that.”

    Asked about the potential mental health impact on widely-criticised players like Maguire, Ten Hag said: “But it’s an aspect of top football, it’s an aspect of our work.

    “We set conditions for that as manager. We also have experts around to help, to coach the players, the team in the right direction.

    “I think he’s doing quite well, but every player has room for improvement and if he believes in his skills he will quickly be back on the level and even more than he did.

    “Once again, I am convinced of that because I see his capabilities and it’s really high.”

    Ten Hag heads into his first Manchester derby fresh from being named Premier League Manager of the month for September, with Rashford winning the players’ award.

    The Dutchman says that shows they are heading in the “right direction”.

    But he also knows there is plenty of room for improvement as he prepares to try and stop Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

    Furthermore, Ten Hag will pit his wits against a man he knows well as Pep Guardiola was manager of Bayern Munich when the Manchester United manager coached the second team.

    “We don’t play against Haaland,” he said. “We play against Manchester City.

    “They have a team, more than 11 players. But also we are convinced of our capabilities and if we act as a team, in and out of possession, then you can beat such opponents.

    “That is the belief we have to take with us when we line up, when we start the game and we do it over more than 90 minutes on Sunday.”

  • I see Harry Maguire as ‘destroyed mentality’, he has no future – Petit

    I see Harry Maguire as ‘destroyed mentality’, he has no future – Petit

    Forner France international Emmanuel Petit cannot see a future for Harry Maguire at Manchester United.

    The World Cup winner believes that the 29-year-old is “destroyed mentally” at Old Trafford following his struggles at the club. A switch to Chelsea has been mooted with Thomas Tuchel believed to have identified the player as a possible alternative to Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana.

    Petit told Fair Betting Sites: “If I am Maguire, I would feel insecure and in a very difficult position.

    “I lost the armband, I’m not the captain anymore, I lost my place in the team. And now I am on the bench.

    “When I look at him, my first feeling is ‘this guy is destroyed mentally’. He’s not there anymore. He needs to rebuild mentally.

    “He has to do this every single game, by playing well. Trying to get back the confidence from the fans, from his team-mates, from the press, from himself. To try to feel more secure on the pitch.

    “At the moment, this is not the case. I think mentally, he’s very low, he’s down. He needs to work mentally.

    “He’s got quality to be a good defender – for me, he’s not one of the top defenders, he’s never been.

    “But he’s a good quality defender if he’s good in his head and plays well. But this is not the case for ages. He has received criticism for two or three years now.

    “For me, I’m not sure his future is laying with Manchester United. I think things have gone too far.

    “To be honest with you, if I am Maguire, I would probably think about leaving.

    “Because the World Cup is coming, so if I’m not playing, that means my position in the national team is in danger as well. All the dangers are surrounding him.

    “He needs to take a very strong decision for his future right now. If I’m Maguire, I cannot see myself playing the next game.

    “Ten Hag has been convinced with [Raphael] Varane and [Lisandro] Martinez – I can guarantee they will play the next game.

    “And if they play well and they win again, he will never change his team. That means Maguire can spend weeks on the bench, looking at his team-mates.

    “He needs to take a big decision. If he wants to play for Chelsea, that could be good for him. I think he would probably play, because Thiago Silva is aged, and they need a central defender.

    “I think it’s a win-win position for Chelsea and Maguire. If I am Maguire, I would leave Manchester United.”

  • Tough preseason under Ten Hag – Maguire

    Tough preseason under Ten Hag – Maguire

    Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has said that it’s been a tough preseason under Erik ten Hag.

    The squad trained for two-and-a-half hours in Melbourne on Saturday despite playing the night before.

    “Ït’s been tough. The running has been hard but we’re really looking forward to the season,” said Maguire.

    “Erik and his coaching staff are bringing their ideas, and the first two games you’ve seen little glimpses of the principles.

    “We’re working towards being ready for that first Premier League game, that’s what matters. Everything we’re doing now is building for that first game.”

  • EPL: Ten Hag names Man Utd captain for next season

    EPL: Ten Hag names Man Utd captain for next season

    Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Harry Maguire will continue his role as club captain.

    Maguire was given the armband shortly after his 2019 transfer from Leicester City.

    And new gaffer, Ten Hag confirmed that Maguire is to wear the captain’s armband going forward.

    Ten Hag was speaking at his first press conference of Tour 2022 to preview Tuesday’s match against Liverpool in Bangkok.

    “Harry Maguire is the captain.”

    Ten Hag was then asked to explain why he is right for the role.

    “Of course, I have to get to know all the players and it takes time.

    “But he is an established captain for a few years and he has achieved a lot of success, so I don’t doubt about this

    Erik ten Hag is a Dutch professional football coach and former player, who is currently the manager of Premier League club Manchester United. As a player, Ten Hag played as a centre-back in the Dutch league for 13 years, making appearances for Twente, De Graafschap, RKC Waalwijk and Utrecht issue.”

  • Rangnick in fresh crisis as Ronaldo, Maguire clash over Man Utd captaincy

    Rangnick in fresh crisis as Ronaldo, Maguire clash over Man Utd captaincy

    Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire are entangled in a power struggle over the Manchester United captaincy, the UK Sun reports.

    It is understood interim manager Ralph Rangnick, Ronaldo and Maguire have had conversations about the England defender relinquishing the armband for the rest of the season.

    This is to take the pressure off Maguire as he wrestles with his own loss of form.

    But the former Leicester City man is reluctant to do that, because he fears he might lose the captaincy on a permanent basis.

    Rangnick has also requested that Ronaldo mentor the young players within the squad, which is understood to have led to further friction with Maguire.

    Maguire is said to feel increasingly undermined by Ronaldo’s huge influence within the dressing-room, particularly with the younger players.

    There is now a growing belief within the Old Trafford dressing-room that it is inevitable Ronaldo will replace Maguire – who has been struggling for form – as captain.

  • Man Utd crisis: Don’t blame Ralf Rangnick – Maguire

    Man Utd crisis: Don’t blame Ralf Rangnick – Maguire

    Manchester United captain Harry Maguire says the players must take responsibility for their struggles this season.

    Maguire has admitted that United’s players must take the blame for the crisis that has engulfed Old Trafford – not beleaguered boss Ralf Rangnick.

    Maguire said: “He (Rangnick) has made an impact – we win together and lose together. The manager is there to set us up tactically, which we absolutely take on board. His detail and preparation is enormous. We’ve got full respect and trust in his methods.

    “Yes, it’s difficult when the coaching team changes mid-season, like it does at loads of clubs. But I will say it again: it’s down to us as players. The quality and leaders are in the team to ensure we finish the season in the top four and with a trophy.”

    Maguire insists that Rangnick is not the problem by issuing a passionate defence of the German and his backroom staff.

    He said: “We listen to him (Rangnick) and his staff and it’s then up to us once the game starts. Every club has issues, not just us – and some of their issues are bigger than ours. It does come with the territory at United, but we’ve got a big squad.

    “Of course, not all the players will always be happy if they are not playing – but that’s football and we all have to remain professional.”

  • Solskjaer responds to captaincy doubts for Maguire

    Solskjaer responds to captaincy doubts for Maguire

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists there’s be no thoughts of taking the captaincy from Harry Maguire.

    Maguire, 28, scored twice on England duty, but his hands-to-his-ears celebration after heading in against Albania was branded ’embarrassing’ by former United skipper Roy Keane.

    Solskjaer said: “Harry is not one to hide on the treatment table or try to find any excuse to sit out games. Scoring a couple of goals for his country will help his form and confidence.

    “He’s going to prove the critics wrong. The so-called experts have their opinions and that’s their job, but it’s not something we have to worry too much about.

    “I’ve not considered taking the captain’s armband away from him. He’s been an absolute stalwart for us on and off the pitch.”

  • You’re a disgrace and embarrassing – Roy Keane blasts Maguire

    You’re a disgrace and embarrassing – Roy Keane blasts Maguire

    Manchester United great Roy Keane has slammed club captain Harry Maguire over his handling of criticism.

    Maguire scored in England’s World Cup qualifying win against Albania on Friday night.

    He was naturally delighted to get on the scoresheet amid his disappointing spell, but his celebration attracted fury from ITV pundit Keane, who delivered a scathing assessment at half-time.

    “He puts his hands to his ears like he’s shutting his critics up… it’s embarrassing,” Keane blasted.

    “He’s been a disgrace last few months for Manchester United, he scores and he thinks he’s going to shut his critics up, it’s embarrassing.”

  • Maguire not the right captain for Man Utd – Sheringham

    Maguire not the right captain for Man Utd – Sheringham

    Former Manchester United striker, Teddy Sheringham, has hit out at the club’s captain, Harry Maguire over his lack of leadership during their embarrassing 5-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool last weekend.

    According to Sheringham, Maguire is not a proper captain, adding that the centre-back failed to calm Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side during the Liverpool encounter.

    Maguire, along with the rest of his Man United teammates, have spent the past week in the spotlight following their humiliating defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford.

    Speaking ahead of Man United’s away Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, Sheringham told The Sun, “Maguire is having a ragged time.

    “Once they went 2-0 down, the game plan and cohesion went out of the window, people started doing their own thing and it became chaos. Everyone was at sixes and sevens.

    “That is where you need to keep your head and you need a good skipper who tells everyone, “Calm down, we will get back into it.”

    “It doesn’t look like there is a proper captain out there leading and demanding they stay in their structure.”

  • Bailly confronts Solskjaer about Maguire selection against Leicester

    Bailly confronts Solskjaer about Maguire selection against Leicester

    Eric Bailly openly questioned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to start Harry Maguire against Leicester City, reports have claimed.

    The Ivory Coast international was expecting to get his chance against the Foxes with Maguire struggling with a calf injury.

    Despite training once before the match, Maguire started and performed miserably as United went down 4-2.

    According to The Telegraph, Bailly talked to Solskjaer about his decision and asked the Red Devils boss ‘why he picked a centre-half who was not fit’.

    Some players have accused Solskjaer of having favouritism with some players, as well as questioning why he hasn’t picked Donny van de Beek and Jesse Lingard.

    The Norwegian is under pressure to keep his job after United were embarrassed 5-0 by Liverpool.