Erik ten Hag makes brutal Harry Maguire decision amid Man Utd injury crisis
Erik ten Hag has risked upsetting Harry Maguire by blocking his exit from Manchester United.
The Dutchman’s decision comes after the Red Devils confirmed that French centre-back Raphael Varane will be restricted to the sidelines for at least a month through injury. A statement from United read: “Raphael Varane will be missing from the team when Manchester United face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday due to injury.
“The France international came off at half-time in our 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday due to the complaint, which is expected to keep him out for a few weeks.”
Varane’s issue adds to the growing list of issues that Ten Hag has been attempting to cope with over the opening weeks of the season. Summer signing Mason Mount has already been ruled out, whilst Luke Shaw’s injury has forced the Red Devils into the transfer market for another left-back - their prime target thought to be Chelsea £60m defender Marc Cucurella.
Whilst the growing list of injuries has left Ten Hag with a few problems to solve, it at least gives Maguire clarity over his future. The former Leicester star looked sure to leave Old Trafford this summer.
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He fell out of contention at Old Trafford last term, whilst he was also stripped of the captaincy by Ten Hag ahead of the new campaign. Maguire has yet to play a single minute of competitive football this season.
Harry Maguire will now stay at Man United (Getty Images)Who else do you think Man United should sign? Share your suggestions in the comments below
He looked to be edging towards the exit door earlier this summer with a £30m deal having been agreed with Premier League rivals West Ham. The deal collapsed however, with the Hammers moving on and signing former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos from Stuttgart instead.
Maguire, 30, remained desperate to move on though and was even prepared to go on a season-long loan elsewhere ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline. The defender is aiming to earn more regular football so that he stays in Gareth Southgate’s plans ahead of next summer’s Euros.
However, Varane’s injury is set to ruin his hopes of sealing a move. Ten Hag has personally told Maguire that he needs him to provide defensive support over the coming weeks, although it is uncertain over how much game time he will actually be afforded.
Speaking after Maguire’s move to the London Stadium fell through, the Dutchman said: "I don't know about the process, only that Harry is a player for us, I'm happy he's here, and we need a good squad.
"We have four good centre-halves, with Luke Shaw then we have five. We need that because we could go on to play 50-60 games this season.”
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