Man United boss Erik ten Hag is giving ‘serious consideration’ to dropping captain Harry Maguire
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly considering dropping captain Harry Maguire for the visit of Liverpool on Monday evening.
The England international has started both of United’s Premier League matches so far, which resulted in defeats to Brighton and Brentford, leaving them sitting bottom of the league table for the first time since August 1992.
Maguire has played alongside new £55.3million United signing Lisandro Martinez in both of those games, but it could be all change when they face the Reds, as they look to turn their fortunes around.
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire could be dropped for the visit of Liverpool
New boss Erik ten Hag has started Maguire in both of United’s opening two league defeats
The former Ajax boss is said to be mulling over the prospect of starting new boy Martinez with Raphael Varane, who will almost certainly be recalled, according to Manchester Evening News.
The same report suggests that players already feel ten Hag’s approach does not suit their skill set and they have their own ideas of how they should approach the match against Liverpool.
United struggled against Jurgen Klopp’s side last season, as they were thrashed 5-0 at Old Trafford, and then beaten 4-0 at Anfield later in the campaign.
Boss Erik ten Hag is mulling over the prospect of starting Raphael Varane (left) with Lisandro Martinez (right) for the visit of Liverpool
Maguire was previously dropped from the starting line-up by interim head coach Ralf Rangnick for the Red Devils 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in April.
The 29-year-old has retained his captaincy under the new boss despite coming under intense criticism last season and even having fans calling for him to be stripped of the armband.
In pre-season, the new boss claimed Maguire and Martinez would be his first choice centre-back partnership.
The players already feel incoming boss Erik ten Hag’s approach does not suit their skill set
‘We bring him in to not strengthen the squad, but the team,’ Ten Hag said of Martinez. ‘Is Maguire a first-choice? I think he is.
‘He’s proved it in the past but he also has to prove it in the present time and in the future.
‘He has played how many times? Sixty times for England? He is a career that is really impressive and I expect a lot from him.
‘But there is also internal competition and that is what a club like Man United needs.’
United face Liverpool on Monday night as Erik ten Hag’s side go in search of a much-needed win.
