Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag warns Manchester United defender Harry Maguire that captaincy doesn’t guarantee game time
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has warned that being the captain of the Red Devils doesn’t guarantee Harry Maguire game time. The England international was dropped to the bench in the game against Liverpool.
The North-West derby was the first fixture of the new campaign that Maguire didn’t start in the backline. Lisandro Martinez was partnered with Raphael Varane in the back four.
Speaking to the media via Manchester Evening News, the Dutch manager said that the armband isn’t an assurance of playing week in, week out. And with quality options in the squad for the centre-back role, Ten Hag seemed to caution the captain of his place in the side.
“I think that doesn’t mean when you are captain you are established to play always.
“We have options. And you have already said… Varane… his stature is immense and in pre-season we took a decision to build him physically so he had a bit of a slow start.”
The 2022/23 season got off to a nightmare start. The Dutch manager’s first competitive game in charge of United saw Brighton & Hove Albion visit Old Trafford. We conceded two goals in the first half as the Seagulls carved open our defence. The Red Devils lost 2-1.
Fans hoped to get over the early season disappointment against Brentford. United went to the Gtech Community Stadium and conceded four goals in the opening 35 minutes.
Ten Hag started Maguire and Martinez as the two centre-backs in both the fixtures we lost. Against Liverpool, it was our captain that gave way for Varane in the XI.
Another change in the backline saw Tyrell Malacia start ahead of Luke Shaw. United put in a performance for the ages. When most predicted the Red Devils to struggle against the Merseysiders, the Old Trafford side were solid from back to front and beat Liverpool 2-1.
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Considering United’s display against one of the best teams in the country, it wouldn’t be surprising for fans to see Maguire on the bench against Southampton as well. It remains to be seen whether our captain gets the opportunity to play a key role in Ten Hag’s XI.
