Erik Ten Hag has praised the progress made by Harry Maguire regardless of the Manchester United captain persevering with to play a bit half position.
The central defender made solely his eleventh begin of the season within the 1-0 victory over Real Betis within the Europa League on Thursday, with simply 5 of these begins coming within the Premier League.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have been Ten Hag’s first-choice partnership, with Victor Lindelof additionally offering competitors together with full-back Luke Shaw.
Ten Hag mentioned: “I am really happy with the progress Harry is making, he is more dominant and dictating, taking more initiative in the training space. I think also we have seen it in Seville against Betis where he showed leadership, especially in aspects of initiative and dictation of the game.”
Winger Facundo Pellistri made his first begin for the membership in Seville after a vigorous European debut within the residence leg.
The 21-year-old Uruguayan once more impressed and might be given extra possibilities with Alejandro Garnacho becoming a member of the injured record, whereas Antony is a doubt for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final in opposition to Fulham by sickness.
Ten Hag despatched a warning to Pellistri that he should seize each probability he will get if he’s to carve out a future for himself at Old Trafford.
“You have to deserve it and you have to gather it by yourself,” mentioned the Dutchman.
“We will help him with the culture, the way of play, the coaches, really working hard for them. But the players have to take their chances, they have to deserve their chances by performing every day on and off the pitch.
“He has the abilities to do it, like others coming up from the youth like Garnacho, like Kobbie Mainoo. Pellistri is also one of them, and there are more who can do it. But you have to contribute to the team.
“Manchester United is not a place where we can have the patience to try one for 10 games – you have to perform.”
Ten Hag insisted, although, that his endurance will not be but carrying skinny with Anthony Martial, who continues to be not able to return from his newest damage lay-off.
“I don’t think it is the right moment if that would be the case,” mentioned the United boss. “I believe in him. Every time he is available, he really gave a good contribution to the team performance.
“The level of the team is upgraded the moment he is available. We are just working with him to get fit and to be available.”
Asked if the Frenchman must be ready to push his physique a bit extra, Ten Hag mentioned: “Every person is different, so you have to treat everyone differently. This process you have to take really carefully. I do everything to get him available.”
