Erik ten Hag: Man Utd boss ‘very happy’ Harry Maguire remains at club and confirms Jonny Evans contract talks | Football News

Erik ten Hag insists he’s “very happy” Harry Maguire remains at Manchester United however reiterated he should battle for his place with Jonny Evans in talks about extending his short-term deal.

Maguire regarded set to go away Old Trafford after West Ham agreed a charge within the area of £30m to signal the England worldwide final week, however negotiations broke down and the switch fell via.

Sky Sports News understands a departure for Maguire, who misplaced the United captaincy earlier this summer time, this late within the switch window would have left the club with little time to herald a substitute.

Asked about Maguire’s state of affairs forward of United’s Premier League journey to Tottenham on Saturday, reside on Sky Sports, Ten Hag mentioned: “I do not know concerning the course of, solely that Harry is a participant for us, I’m completely satisfied he is right here, and we’d like an excellent squad.

“We have 4 good centre-halves, with Luke Shaw then now we have 5. We want that as a result of we might go on to play 50-60 video games this season.

“All the players are internationals, we have a lot of fixtures to cover, so I’m very happy Harry Maguire’s here. He has to fight for his position, as does everyone in the squad. We construct a squad with double positions, but we need it.”

Ten Hag has all the time maintained there’s a place in his squad for Maguire and re-emphasised the 30-year-old nonetheless has the standard to achieve Manchester.

“It’s up to him,” Ten Hag replied when requested what Maguire can realistically hope for this season.

“He is aware of what I anticipate from him. He can do it and I’ve advised you a lot instances earlier than that he has the power to do it, so now he has to indicate it.

“It’s about character, to be satisfied, and to play the position. He has all the skills to do it and it is as much as him.”

Ten Hag: I would like Evans to remain

Speculation over Maguire’s future this summer time has additionally intensified following the return of former United defender Evans.

Evans signed a short-term deal for pre-season after his contract with Leicester expired and Ten Hag confirmed the Northern Ireland worldwide is in talks with the club about extending his keep.

“Harry Maguire’s situation doesn’t affect it,” Ten Hag mentioned. “We will see what happens. We are in talks and when we have news we will bring that, as always. For this month, Jonny is under contract.”

On whether or not he would love Evans to stay at the club, Ten Hag added: “Yeah, otherwise we wouldn’t be talking.”

‘All positions are coated’

As nicely as Evans, United have introduced in goalkeeper Andre Onana, midfielder Mason Mount and striker Rasmus Hojlund through the summer time switch window thus far.

There have been options extra signings might be made earlier than the deadline on September 1, however Ten Hag insists he’s completely satisfied along with his present squad.

“Our squad is covered. All the positions are covered,” he mentioned. “But after all, we’re Manchester United, we’re all the time in search of enchancment and if there may be the chance then we are going to strike within the final two weeks.

“We’re all the time in search of alternatives, however I believe now we have an excellent squad and with this squad we’re satisfied that we will go for our targets.”

‘We should step up’ – Ten Hag on away kind

United journey to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night seeking to enhance on final season’s dismal away kind.

Against the groups that completed within the high 10 through the 2022/23 marketing campaign, United collected simply 4 factors from a attainable 27 and Ten Hag is set to make sure that doesn’t occur once more.

“This is one of our aims this season,” the Dutchman mentioned. “We need to step up in away video games and convey increased ranges as a result of that’s the basis for extra factors.

“It’s usually to do with character, so that is the demand from me on the gamers. We have to indicate extra character on the pitch to win such video games and to collect extra factors.”

Ten Hag: Off-field points do not have an effect on us

Ten Hag was additionally requested about points off the pitch together with Mason Greenwood’s future and the continued possession saga.

United launched a press release on Wednesday saying they’re within the “final stages” of constructing a choice on Greenwood, whereas affirmation of the Glazers probably promoting the club to Sheikh Jassim or Sir Jim Ratcliffe is but to be introduced.

Asked if that uncertainty impacts the gamers and employees, Ten Hag mentioned: “No, that does not concern me. We deal with our method of enjoying and on group efficiency.

“It’s concerning the gamers who can be found, and so we’re focusing now on Tottenham Hotspur. Every begin of the season is tough, we all know that and we’re actually conscious of it.

“We had a start [against Wolves] but we know the performance was not what we hoped. But we won, it showed our character and personality, and that’s one of the things we had to step up.”

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