Erik ten Hag claims Harry Maguire is improving as a captain at Manchester United after revealing he had become “more dominant” at Carrington.
The central defender has remained club captain this season despite starting just 11 games for Ten Hag. Maguire has worn the armband when he has been on the field, but Bruno Fernandes has been captain when he has not played.
Maguire played the full 90 minutes of United’s 1-0 win against Real Betis on Thursday night and put in a strong performance, before insisting he still has a key role to play at the club.
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Ten Hag is also pleased with the off-pitch skills he is displaying and is happy to trust the 29-year-old, who he believes is improving as a leader.
“I’m very happy with Harry’s progress, he’s more dominant and dictating, taking more initiative in the training space,” he said.
“(On Thursday) we saw him in Seville against Betis where he showed leadership, especially in the aspects of initiative and game dictation.”
Facundo Pellistri also started in Seville, the first time he has done so with United, and drew attention on the wing, but Ten Hag has told the Uruguayan, as well as other young talents such as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, that they have to get going when they get their chances at United.
“You have to deserve it and you have to bring it up for yourself,” he said. “We will help him with the culture, the way of playing and the coaches are really working hard with him.
“But players have to take advantage of their opportunities and deserve them by performing every day on and off the pitch. He has the ability to do it, as do others who are emerging like Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.”
“Pellistri is also one of them and more can do it. You have to contribute to the team. Manchester United is not the place where we have the patience to try 10 games, you have to perform.”
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