Erik ten Hag returns Harry Maguire warning to Raphael Varane after strong World Cup performance

Before the World Cup, the nuclear option for Harry Maguire, of having to rebuild his confidence and career away from the pressure of Old Trafford, seemed a real possibility. Out of form with just four league starts, struggling for fitness, captain in name only and sliding down the pecking order behind a wall of defensive talent, the outlook was bleak.

But when he enters Carrington early next week after a well-deserved break from the English campaign, he will do so feeling a foot or taller, confidence seemingly restored and feeling ready for the challenge that threw his club boss at him. .

Erik ten Hag has been in constant contact with Maguire throughout the World Cup and has asked the England defender to bring his England A game home from Qatar. "I've been asked many times if he's good enough to play for me and it's clear he's good enough to play at the highest level," the United manager said.

"He has, for England, almost all the time good games. Yes, he had a period in Manchester where he performed badly and then of course there are difficulties. But when he has confidence in him, he will put that on the pitch. When he works hard you get that confidence and you see it with the way he plays for England.

"We want him to bring that back to Manchester with him so he can bring it onto the pitch for Manchester United. I expect from him, the team knows what they expect from him. he does, he'll be a great player for us In his signature direct style, Ten Hag admits Maguire is in a battle to regain his place in the squad after slipping behind Raphael Varane in the side's pecking order right of defense.

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But it's not a battle that's over when it comes to the United boss. "When I choose Rapha, it's nothing against Harry. Sometimes it's because one player is much better than the other. But I think I have two or three good players there at the position of right central defender.

“After Brentford, I chose. I felt like I had to change there – I had to change my mentality. Says nothing about his quality that he can't do it or my opinion of his quality. I'm sure he has the potential to play in our style and fit into our system.

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"The only thing Harry has to do is train well, perform well, he has games, he has pace and his chance will come. He will have a chance to show it and then he will be there. party and he will play."

Maguire is unlikely to avoid this challenge, especially with United busy on four fronts. But if it were to decline, could the nuclear option resurface? "Only if he doesn't want to be in those circumstances anymore," Ten Hag said. "Until then I'm happy with him. I told him and to you I can't do anything more. It's up to him to help establish himself in the team.”< /p>