‘He wants high standards’: Harry Maguire outlines the changes Erik ten Hag made in his first season at Manchester United as the seldom-used captain hails the Dutchman’s demands
- Harry Maguire praised Erik ten Hag’s work at Manchester United
- Reactions are coming despite him falling down the pecking order this campaign
- Ten Hag rarely made use of the club’s captaincy – preferring other defenders instead
Harry Maguire has outlined the changes Erik ten Hag has made this season, highlighting the culture shift brought about by the arrival of the Dutchman.
Despite a rocky start, Ten Hag has experienced a remarkable transformation at United, both on and off the pitch. The roster’s ever-improving performance suggests they’re heading in the same direction.
While many players have benefited from the arrival of the Dutchman, one player who has suffered is club captain Maguire, who has seen his performances fall off a cliff, having made just 10 appearances in the Premier League this season.
However, ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle in which Maguire could pick up the first major piece of silverware of his career, the former Hull City and Leicester defender praised Ten Hag’s work.
“His ideas are different from many of what we are used to, I must say. He was also a defender,” he told TalkSport.
Harry Maguire praised Erik ten Hag’s work – despite his lack of minutes this semester
The defender noted the changes that Ten Hag has made on the training field in terms of standards
“This season he has proven that it works and it has worked in the past. He brought a philosophy and ideas about how he wants us to play. He will probably tell you that there is still a lot to improve.
“He is so demanding in everything he does and everything he says. Whether it’s on the training pitch or you have a passing practice at the start and you miss a pass – he’s straight at you and those are the demands he makes. He wants high standards.’
Maguire has made just 19 appearances in total this season, with the England international seeing his position go to Lisandro Martinez, who has formed a dominant combination with Raphael Varane.
Maguire has seen his minutes fall off a cliff as a result of Lisandro Martinez (pictured) and Raphael Varane forming a dominant partnership
Despite that, Maguire still spoke of the pride he would feel if he won the League Cup as United captain.
“It will be a great moment for myself,” he said. “It is a huge honor for a captain of this football club. A real privilege.
“Since I became captain it has been a dream to win my first trophy for this football club.
“It’s been a long process, but like I said, we’ve got a long way to go and it’s a big game and I’m not going to think too much about it until the moment comes.”