Erik Ten Hag has backed under-fire Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire and told the beleaguered defender he has his full support.
Maguire, who has lost his United place, suffered further misery on Monday in England's 3-3 draw with Germany, giving away a penalty before suffering a hamstring injury. That injury has ruled Maguire out of Sunday's Manchester derby, but Ten Hag said he still has faith in Maguire, despite having dropped the 29-year-old centre-back.
“First of all, of course I have to coach him and back him, but I back him because I believe in him,” said Ten Hag.
“In the period I worked with him in pre-season he was good, really good in training, and in games I can see the qualities even when he's not in the team. When he's trained, the quality was there. You see his career, his caps for England for Leicester and for Manchester United, he performed really well.
“He has high potential and then it’s about him. The players, the coaches, the manager, we believe in him and that’s what I told him. I'm sure he can do it and turn it around.”
On Sunday's derby showdown, Ten Hag said: “I played many derbies and I know derbies - what they are, what the rivals are, what they are doing.
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“I know it's the most important game in the Manchester area for the fans and it excites me. You want to be involved in these games because it's such a good vibe, it gives you so much energy and we will do everything to win the game.”
On City striker Erling Haaland, who has 14 goals in nine games, Ten Hag said: “We don't play against Haaland, we play against Manchester City.
“They have a team, [with a squad] more than 11 players, but we also, we are convinced of our capabilities and, if we act as a team in and out of possession, we can beat opponents.”
