Man Utd Manager Erik ten Hag Delighted with Harry Maguire Stay and Reveals Exciting Jonny Evans Contract Negotiations

Erik ten Hag expressed his satisfaction with Harry Maguire's continued presence at Manchester United. However, he emphasized that Maguire will have to compete with Jonny Evans for a starting role while discussing the possibility of extending his short-term contract. Last week, it seemed likely that Maguire would leave Old Trafford, as West Ham had reached an agreement to sign the English defender for around £30m. However, the deal collapsed due to failed negotiations.

We understand that it would have been challenging for We News to see Maguire depart at this stage of the transfer window, especially considering he had already lost the captaincy earlier this summer. This would have left the club with limited time to find a suitable replacement.

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Saturday 19th August 5:00pm

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Inquired about the circumstances surrounding Maguire's status prior to United's upcoming Premier League clash against Tottenham on Saturday, which will be broadcast live on We, Ten Hag expressed, "I am not familiar with the details of the proceedings, but I am aware that Harry remains a player for our team. I am pleased to have him here, and it is essential for us to possess a strong squad."

We have a formidable lineup of four excellent center halves, and when we include Luke Shaw, we have five. This is crucial considering the number of matches we are set to play this season, which could amount to 50-60 games.

It is worth noting that all of our players are internationals, and given the considerable number of fixtures we must fulfill, I am extremely pleased to have Harry Maguire in our ranks. Every player, including Maguire, must compete for their spot in the team, as this is the ethos we embrace within the squad. Our team is built with players who can operate in multiple positions, and this versatility is essential for our success.

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Harry Maguire's statistics since joining Manchester United from Leicester in 2019 have been impressive. Ten Hag, the coach, has consistently asserted that there is a spot for Maguire in his squad. He has reaffirmed that despite being 30 years old, Maguire still possesses the necessary skills to thrive in Manchester.

"It is ultimately his decision," responded Ten Hag, when questioned about Maguire's aspirations for the upcoming season.

"I have made my expectations clear to him. He possesses the necessary skills and I have reiterated numerous times that he is capable of fulfilling them. It is now imperative for him to demonstrate his capabilities."

Evans, whose contract with Leicester has expired, signed a temporary agreement for the pre-season. Ten Hag confirmed that discussions are ongoing for extending the Northern Ireland international's stay at the club. The situation regarding Harry Maguire does not impact this decision. Ten Hag mentioned that updates will be shared when available, while highlighting that Jonny is currently under contract for this month.

On whether he would like Evans to remain at the club, Ten Hag added: "Yeah, otherwise we wouldn't be talking."

Ten Hag: I want Evans to stay

In addition to Evans, United have signed goalkeeper Andre Onana, midfielder Mason Mount, and striker Rasmus Hojlund during the summer transfer window thus far. While there have been suggestions of additional signings before the September 1 deadline, Ten Hag maintains satisfaction with his existing squad.

"We have complete coverage in our squad, with all positions accounted for," he stated. "Nevertheless, as Manchester United, we constantly strive for improvement and if an opportunity arises, we will seize it during the final two weeks.

"We remain vigilant for any potential openings. However, we firmly believe that with our current squad, we have the capabilities to pursue our objectives."

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Manchester United secured the acquisition of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for a staggering £72m during the summer transfer window.

'All positions are covered'

United only managed to collect four points out of a potential 27 against the top 10 teams in the 2022/23 campaign. Ten Hag is adamant about avoiding a repeat of this performance and has made it a goal for the current season. "Improving our away game and raising our performance levels are essential in order to accumulate more points," the Dutchman stated.

"It's often to do with personality, so that's the demand from me on the players. We have to show more personality on the pitch to win such games and to gather more points."

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists his side's away form must improve this season

'We must step up' - Ten Hag on away form

On Wednesday, United released a statement declaring that they are nearing a conclusion in their evaluation of Greenwood's situation. However, an official announcement regarding the potential sale of the club by the Glazers to Sheikh Jassim or Sir Jim Ratcliffe is yet to be made.

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Manchester United are in the 'final stages' of reaching a decision regarding Mason Greenwood's future, according to their statement. When questioned about the impact of this uncertainty on the players and staff, Ten Hag stated that it does not concern him and they remain focused on their style of play and overall team performance.

We are currently directing our attention towards Tottenham Hotspur as we consider the available players. It is well-established that the beginning of each season poses challenges, and we are fully cognizant of this fact.

Although our initial performance against Wolves did not meet our expectations, it should be acknowledged that we emerged victorious. This triumph exemplified our resilience and individuality, highlighting the essential aspects we need to improve upon.

Stream the Tottenham vs Man Utd live match on We Premier League and We Main Event starting at 5pm this Saturday. The game kicks off at 5.30pm. Experience the excitement of Premier League action on We by subscribing to NOW for only £26 per month for 12 months. Enjoy the flexibility to cancel anytime.

Ten Hag: Off-field issues don't affect us

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