Erik ten Hag admits he is relieved Harry Maguire stayed at Man United amid injury crisis
Erik ten Hag is pleased – and relieved – that Harry Maguire stayed at Manchester United last summer after the England international emerged as a defensive mainstay amid the club's injury crisis this season.
United go into Saturday's dinnertime clash at Bournemouth without six defenders, with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Tyrell Malacia all sidelined.
Maguire is expected to play alongside teenager Willy Kambwala again after Ten Hag was forced to resort to his 12th different centre-back pairing – and 28th back-four – of the season against Liverpool last weekend.
The 31-year-old could have left United last summer after growing disillusioned with his lack of first-team appearances, and United accepted a £30million bid from West Ham.
However, Ten Hag is glad that Maguire stayed after United's £80m signing from Leicester City made 27 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
Erik Ten Hag (R) has admitted relief that Harry Maguire stayed at the club in the summer
Maguire was linked with a move away from the club but has emerged as a saviour in their defensive crisis
He is set to start in defence again alongside teenager Willy Kambwala (R) versus Bournemouth at the weekend
'We were always very happy with Harry Maguire, but he wants to play,' said the United boss. 'He's a great leader, he's a very good defender and very comfortable on the ball.
'When I count all of those abilities, on our defending line we have problems, he is even more important to lead that line and to make us play from the back. We are very pleased he is there and we need him to get our results and achieve our targets.'
On the lack of a settled back-four, Ten Hag added: 'It's very difficult. So everyone who has a little bit of knowledge about football, they know it will affect your results and performances. Back -four is always the foundation to get result. We still have to win, we know that. Others have to take responsibility.'