Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag believes he is witnessing a “different Harry Maguire” from the one he saw at the start of the season.
Maguire was recalled for United’s 2-0 Premier League victory against Everton, and the Red Devils have won their previous ten games when he started.
The 30-year-old might be relegated to the bench for Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla, although Maguire has started three of United’s previous five games.
Maguire’s 13th club start of the season came against Everton, and he has never reclaimed his first-team spot since a 4-0 thrashing at Brentford on August 13. Ten Hag is happy with how Maguire has refined his game in the aftermath of that loss.
“It’s not easy for Harry, and if you then provide the performance he did today, well done,” Ten Hag said. “Dominating and dictating, in and out of possession.” That was my demand to him, and he included that into the pitch.” This is not the Harry Maguire I’ve seen in the first few weeks and months. He’s showing a lot of initiative, overpowering his opponent, moving in, delivering passes, so it’s a pretty good effort from Harry.”
United ҺᎥт Everton’s goal 21 times in the first half, a record since records started in 2003-04, but only led 1-0 at halftime.
The small win leaves United with an uninspiring goal differential of +7, and an apparent groin injury to Marcus Rashford may keep the team’s leading scorer out of the next several games.
Despite the defeat, Ten Hag was happy with United’s “excellent” performance. “As long as you don’t score the second goal, you always have to be afraid; they just need one opportunity then, and we only gave up one chance the whole game.”
“We let up two opportunities in two games (against Everton and Brentford), but we produced many more.” And that in the third game in six days, a testament to the squad, two very fantastic outcomes, shown tremendous mindset and character, so we’re pleased.
“We know what we’re capable of, and you can see that this squad is still growing.” Today’s football was fantastic. We had so many opportunities in the first half. The midfield was playing quite well, with a lot of paces and direct play in front. The only thing we need to do is be more clinical and score more goals.”
Marcus Rashford is injured during Manchester United’s match against Everton
Manchester United are concerned about Marcus Rashford’s health after he was forced off with a groin injury in Saturday’s 2-0 victory against Everton.
The 25-year-old is United’s leading scorer this season with 28 goals, and he set up Anthony Martial’s second-half goal to earn his 10th assist of the season. With 13 minutes remaining, the attacker pulled up while chasing for a ball, signaling to the bench that he needed to be replaced.
Rashford trudged out of town via the tunnel, grimacing and appearing uncomfortable. Wout Weghorst took his place. Rashford missed England service during the March international break due to an injury, and his participation in United’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla is now in doubt.
This season, the striker has been crucial to United’s success. After becoming the first club player in 64 years to score in nine consecutive home games in January, the attacker tied Wayne Rooney’s record of ten winning goals in a single season against Brentford.
The academy graduate is having the best season of his career and is a strong contender for the club’s Player of the Year award. Christian Eriksen returned to the Reds for the first time since his January ankle injury against Everton, and Martial scored his first goal on February 1.
After the match against Sevilla on Thursday, United will face Nottingham Forest before returning to Spain in the Europa League. Three days later, the club travels to Wembley to face Brighton in the FA Cup semi-finals.
