Erik ten Hag has launched a strong defence of under-fire defender Harry Maguire by insisting the Manchester United captain can reverse his slump in form.
Maguire has lost his place at Old Trafford and came in for criticism for his performance for England against Germany after making two mistakes in the 3-3 draw at Wembley.
– Notebook: Man Utd continue hunt for De Jong, Bellingham
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, more (U.S.)
The defender is not available to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday because of injury, but Ten Hag said the 29-year-old can get back to his best.
“I have to back him but I back him because I believe in him,” Ten Hag told a news conference on Friday.
“In the period I worked with him in preseason was good, really good, training and games, so then he fell out [of the team] but it’s also to do with the centre-backs playing now and even after he wasn’t in the team he trained really well and the quality was there.
“What you see is high potential. In the dressing room, the coaches and the players believe in him. That’s what I told him. I’m sure he can do it and I’m convinced of that.”
