Harry Maguire can be a “great player” for Manchester United if he can replicate his English form with his club, says United manager Erik ten Hag.
The 29-year-old defender has been on a Premier League start since August, when he was dropped following United’s 4-0 loss at Brentford to Raphael Varane.
But he has started every game in England’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals.
“I’ve often been asked. It’s clear he’s good enough to play at the highest level,” Ten Hag said.
“He has, for England, good games almost all the time. He had a period in Manchester where he performed poorly. Then, of course, there are difficulties.
“But when he works hard he gets that confidence. You see it with the way he plays for England.
“We want him to bring it onto the pitch for Manchester United. I expect him, the team knows what they expect from him. If he does that he will be a great player for us.”
Ten Hag favored Varane and Lisandro Martinez as centre-backs at the start of his first season at Old Trafford.
With both countries having reached the semi-finals, they will still be at the World Cup until next weekend.
Maguire could therefore start for United at home to Nottingham Forest on December 27 and Ten Hag says the £80million signing will have the chance to re-establish himself as a first-choice defender at Old Trafford.
“I have two or three good players at right centre-back,” the United boss said.
“After Brentford I had to change my mentality. He was unlucky, that moment was bad for him but that says nothing about his quality. Rapha came in and did a good job.
“There are laws of the game in top-flight football. You have to take your chance.
“The only thing he has to do is train well and perform well. He has games, he has pace. His chance will come.”
