Manchester United has indicated that Harry Maguire would have to take responsibility and fight for his position if he wishes to be featured in the team's starting eleven on a weekly basis.
The 29-year-old England captain has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford since Erik Ten Hag's arrival. Former Real Madrid ace Raphael Varane and summer signing from FC Ajax Lisandro Martinez have been preferred to the former Leicester City man. The two World Cup Champions have become a formidable force with which to reckon in Manchester United's defense, which has forced Harry Maguire to lose his place in the starting eleven.
The 29-year-old came on just a few minutes before the full-time whistle as Man United beat Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on Sunday to lift the Carabao Cup and was heavily involved with the team's celebration at full time.
The club's media asked during Erik Ten Hag's press conference ahead of the Red Devils' FA Cup clash with West Ham on Wednesday if the likes of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof would finally get some playing time while the favorite defensive duo gets some rest on the bench.
Erik Ten Hag was quick to refute such thoughts and stressed that the success of the team at Wembley Stadium was a collective effort.
"Let's make myself clear, we didn't win with 11 players; we did win with a squad, and I think the squad is already so important for the whole season," Erik Ten Hag stressed.
"Every time players are coming in [to play], whether it's for the whole game, for minutes, or for a couple of games, I think we can also change the dynamics during games."
"We do it with many more than 11 players, so I count on them, and I know they will be ready because every time players play games, they take responsibility, and it's about that."
"Take responsibility, but you also have to fight for your position." We have great months ahead of us, as well as great games, and I think everyone wants to play games. The players who form the best teams will play. "Also, for Maguire, when he plays well, he can come into the team," Erik Ten Hag explained.
The media further claimed that Harry Maguire could be feeling not involved as an individual; the fact that he is the team's captain and lost his place in the team would be one of the major reasons why he might not be happy, even though he was involved with the team's celebration at Wembley Stadium.
"It was not my perspective on the celebrations; I think everyone was involved and everyone was happy," Erik Ten Hag countered.
"Everyone had the idea; we did it collectively and not individually or if one, two, or three players did this." "It was the performance of the whole team, of the whole squad."
The manager further stated how he has managed to instill discipline and a sense of urgency in his players, in agreement with a comment made by Luke Shaw, who claimed the players have been subjected to heavy discipline under the 53-year-old.
"I know from previous jobs that it takes time before you get into a way of playing, before you get into the rules and principles," Erik Ten Hag explained.
"You get routines in a team, and time does not always go with the right results." "The results weren't there at the start of the season, but I didn't panic because I knew it was part of the process and you could find out; you learn a lot in those weeks."
"When you lose, it's not nice." "You hate to lose, and you also get some good lessons and a lot of views on what are the opportunities and what are the deficits, so you can work on that and your style of play," Erik Ten Hag stated.
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