Ten Hag makes feelings clear after Maguire failed to execute two-point plan
Harry Maguire endured an evening to forget on Thursday, as he made a blunder in Manchester United's 3-0 loss to Sevilla in Spain.
Erik ten Hag's side were knocked out of the Europa League after a brace from Youssef En-Nesyri and Loic Bade's strike. Maguire, 30, was at fault for En-Nesyri's opening goal, as his failed pass to Aaron Wan-Bissaka was cut out by former Tottenham star Eric Lamela.
Maguire is still United's club captain but has struggled for minutes this season, with Ten Hag often preferring to play Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. His time at Old Trafford could be up, with Ten Hag planning on axing 12 first-team players this summer.
Ten Hag's frustration was clear in his post-match interview. He told BT Sport: "It’s clear. When we make such mistakes, it’s difficult to win a football game. It’s a problem and we have to acknowledge it... you have seen what I have seen. We were not composed or calm."
Maguire failed to be composed as Ten Hag asked, and he also failed to deliver on another one of his manager's aims. Ten Hag wants Maguire to be more vocal as United's skipper rather than simply leading by example, with Yorkshireman often viewed as passive.
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As reported by the Daily Mail, Maguire responded by barking at the referee and his assistant following an incident involving Marcel Sabitzer. The eyewitness account claims Maguire 'didn't look entirely natural' and lost concentration moments later for the goal.
Harry Maguire struggled against Sevilla (Getty Images)Do you think it's time for Harry Maguire to leave Old Trafford? Let us know in the comments below!
Maguire has struggled for form since England's defeat in the Euro 2020 final in July 2021. He's lacked minutes under Ten Hag - featuring just 13 times in the Premier League - and is set to be deemed surplus to requirements in the summer.
As reported by Mirror Football, Ten Hag wants to get rid of as many as a dozen players in the upcoming transfer window. Maguire is on that exit list, but United may struggle to recuperate most of the £80million they spent on him four years ago.
Ten Hag is believed to be interested in Napoli centre-back Kim Min-Jae as a potential replacement for Maguire. The South Korea international, 26, is enjoying a fine campaign with Napoli and was named as Serie A's Player of the Month in September.
Maguire has previously stated his desire to play more often. He told BT Sport in March: "Listen, I work hard at the training ground and that’s only what you can do. You can work hard in training, I put everything into training."
Maguire added: "Obviously, I want to play more. I want to start more games but I’m playing my part on and off the field and it’s nice to get out there, leading the team and getting the victory which is the most important thing for myself and the club."
Yet Maguire may have to leave Old Trafford to have more minutes on the pitch. The next few weeks could be pivotal in his career, with Varane and Martinez nursing injuries. If he fails to impress Ten Hag, his United career could come to a disappointing end.
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