Erik ten Hag explains why Harry Maguire missed Tottenham vs Man Utd

Harry Maguire was left out of the Manchester United squad that travelled to Tottenham Hotspur due to a minor injury.

The defender was expected to be involved in the matchday roster, although there was little chance of him starting the game ahead of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. Yet when the sides were announced an hour before kick-off, Maguire was a surprise omission.

Asked about the 30-year-old’s absence ahead of the game, Erik ten Hag revealed it was due to him suffering a minor injury on Friday. “Harry picked up a small issue yesterday in the final training session, therefore he could not travel with us,” the United boss told MUTV.

The injury comes amid a turbulent period for Maguire, who was close to joining West Ham United last week. However, a disagreement over his payout resulted in the move collapsing.

Ten Hag insisted ahead of the Spurs game that he has no problem if the player stays at United this season. “I am happy he is here, we need a good squad, we have four good centre-halves, if you count Luke Shaw we have five and we need it because we are going to play 50-60 games this season,” explained the ex-Ajax manager.

“All the players are internationals so we have a lot of load to cover, so I am happy Harry Maguire is here. He is going to have to fight for his position, as is everyone in this squad. We construct a squad with double positions and we need it.”

Maguire has missed both of United’s opening matches of the new campaign and started just eight Premier League matches last season for the Red Devils. He was also stripped of the captaincy and, should he remain at Old Trafford, is expected to play a back-up role this term.