Erik ten Hag acknowledges that Harry Maguire is eager to contribute on the field for Manchester United and emphasizes his importance in the club's pursuit of their goals.
Last summer, the 31-year-old was on the verge of departing Old Trafford when West Ham United had a £30m offer accepted by the Red Devils. However, the transfer did not materialize before the deadline, leading Maguire to disclose in October that negotiations had fallen through.
Maguire, who was signed for a record fee of £80m from Leicester City in the summer of 2019, began the 2023/24 Premier League campaign on the bench, as his chances of regaining a spot in the starting lineup under Ten Hag seemed slim.
After subpar performances and injuries to fellow United defenders, an opportunity arose for Maguire to reclaim his position in the team. Since then, he has consistently been in the starting lineup under Ten Hag, except for a brief absence due to a groin injury that forced him to miss five games.
Ten Hag emphasized Maguire's skills and his eagerness to contribute to the team during his recent media briefing, indicating that West Ham's interest in the player is still present.
"He is an exceptional leader, an outstanding defender, and extremely skilled on the ball. Considering all these qualities, especially when we face challenges in our defensive line, his role becomes even more crucial in guiding the team and initiating our play from the back. We greatly value his presence and rely on him to secure positive outcomes and reach our objectives."
"It proves to be quite challenging to constantly alter the back four. Even those with a basic understanding of football - even just a little - are aware of how it can impact the team's performance and results. The back four serves as the cornerstone for achieving success. Unfortunately, we were lacking in that aspect."
Maguire has solidified his position in the team due to consistent injury issues faced by Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. Martinez was out for four months last year with a foot problem before sustaining a serious knee injury against West Ham in February.
There is a possibility that Varane might depart from Old Trafford this summer as his contract is expiring, and United might choose not to activate his one-year extension. This uncertainty surrounding Varane's future could potentially benefit Maguire, who has a contract until 2025 with an additional one-year option included.
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