15 August 2023 , 11:36
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Erik ten Hag has told Harry Maguire to prove his worth at Manchester United, with the defender's transfer move to West Ham currently off.
Maguire had been set to join the Hammers after the two clubs struck a £30million deal, only for the transfer to stall because of continued discussions between United and the England international over his payoff. West Ham are now focusing on alternative targets ahead of deadline day on September 1 after growing impatient while waiting for Maguire, who'd agreed personal terms.
Back at Old Trafford, Ten Hag is weighing up the prospect of having the 30-year-old in his squad until at least the January transfer window. The Dutch boss has already told Maguire what he needs to do in order to have a future at United.
Speaking ahead of the Red Devils' unconvincing 1-0 win at home to Wolves on Monday, Ten Hag explained: "For Harry, that is just how I described it. He has to fight for his place.
"He has the ability to be a top-class centre-back and he is the best for England so why shouldn't he be the best for us? But he has to prove it. When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to go Then he has to make a decision, but I'm happy with him."
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The United manager - whose predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, signed Maguire for £80m in 2019 - added: "We don't have a squad with 11 players, and the last year proved definitely we need all the players. So that means you need some high-level players who are maybe not starting but that can change so there is an internal competition - everyone has to fight for his place.
"Every player, when they are good, will get their games but no one can play all the games and finally you find out what is the best team. In the squad now all the positions are double and every player has the perspective to fight for his place. It is up to the players if they have game time or less."
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Harry Maguire's £30million transfer to West Ham is currently offWe've seen enough already during Ten Hag's reign to not take his every word in press conferences as gospel, having spoken highly of both David de Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo before sanctioning their departures. Maguire was set to follow them in becoming the latest high-profile exit after West Ham boss David Moyes confirmed that his club had agreed a deal.
Former Red Devils captain Gary Neville believes that United are attempting to "manage Maguire out of the club" after Ten Hag made the decision to bring on fellow centre-back Victor Lindelof at half-time against Wolves instead of the £80m man. "They're trying to manage Harry Maguire out of the club and get their money for him," Neville claimed on Sky Sports. "There is no doubt about that."