Erik ten Hag gives Harry Maguire transfer verdict & reveals latest on Jonny Evans' future

Erik ten Hag has said he is ‘happy’ for Harry Maguire to remain a Manchester United player, after his transfer to West Ham United collapsed earlier this week.

The England international had looked set to join the Hammers but a financial dispute prevented a deal from being concluded and, at present, Maguire looks set to stay at Old Trafford.

The 30-year-old has slipped to fourth choice at centre-back and had the captaincy stripped off him earlier this summer. United are keen to sell Maguire this window, but Ten Hag claimed that if he were to stay at Old Trafford, Maguire would help provide cover in what is expected to be a busy season.

Asked about the failed West Ham move, Ten Hag replied: “That process, I don’t know, only Harry is a player for us. 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.

“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.

“He knows what I expect from him,” Ten Hag continued. “I am here for one year, you know what I expect from a centre half. He can do it, he has the abilities to do it so now he has to show it. It’s then about character, to be convinced to play that role, he has all the abilities to do it. It’s up to him when the time is there.”

Ten Hag did admit that his squad is ‘covered’ but said he could look to ‘strike’ in the transfer market over the next two weeks if a potential deal could be completed.

Meanwhile, one player who could provide additional cover at centre-back this season is Jonny Evans. The ex-Leicester City man signed on a short-term deal earlier this summer to help provide cover at the back over pre-season, and he was present in the crowd at Old Trafford on Monday night as United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur, Ten Hag revealed Evans is still under contract at the club, and said he would like the Northern Irish to sign a longer-term deal with United. “We are in talks and when we have news we will bring it,” Ten Hag said, while he also claimed Evans’ situation is not dependent on Maguire’s future.

Neither defender will be involved for United this weekend when they face Spurs, with the Red Devils aiming to make it two wins from two at the start of the new season.