Harry Maguire says Erik ten Hag has brought “energy” and “positive vibes” to Manchester United and insists retaining the captaincy has given him “a lot of confidence”.
Ten Hag has enjoyed an impressive start to his new job since replacing interim coach Ralf Rangnick at the end of last season, with United’s 4-0 win over Liverpool during pre-season the standout result of his short reign to now.
The Dutchman is preparing for his first competitive test against Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday – live on Sky Sports – and Maguire believes United are in the right shape to hit the ground running.
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‘Major improvement needed in 2022/23’
“It was really good, obviously a fresh start after last season,” the United captain told Sky Sports News’ Vicky Gomersall for Super Sunday Matchday. To see also : Lakers Ham: Russell Westbrook Is ‘Prematurely Counted Out’.
“Ten Hag brought a lot of energy, a lot of positive vibes and the boys have bought into it really well so far.
“It was only pre-season but we are fit and ready to go. We are looking forward to the season.”
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Charged with overseeing a major rebuild at Old Trafford, Ten Hag’s meticulous work has been evident during his time at United so far.
In the summer, it was obvious that Tenets drilled Ten Hag and his players – sharper reaction, security in transition, confidence on the ball and cohesion without it – were taken on board.
The 52-year-old will demand a significant improvement on last campaign – when United recorded their lowest points tally in the Premier League era – and Maguire insists the fans deserve better.
“This club is all about winning trophies. From where we were last season we have to look at a big improvement,” said Maguire.
“Last year was nowhere near acceptable for this club. We got knocked out of the cup early, we didn’t give our fans anything to look forward to.
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“We have to make sure we are in these competitions for big parts of the season and in March we are still playing in these big competitions and big games.
‘Man Utd captaincy a massive honour’
“Last season, in the last two or three months, we played Saturday, Saturday, Saturday and this club is not used to that and should not be doing that.
“We were out of every cup and didn’t play well in the league. See the article : The Best Sci-Fi TV Shows on Prime Video. We need to look for a big improvement in performances and give our fans something to cheer about.
“You always find excuses in everyday life and we just have to look at ourselves. As individuals we didn’t perform well enough and the team ultimately didn’t perform well enough collectively.”
United’s disappointing 2021/22 campaign has led to Maguire’s performances being criticized more than most, with some even suggesting he should be sacked as captain.
Maguire has been booed by United and England fans in recent months and according to a new study – conducted by the Alan Turing Institute in conjunction with Ofcom – Cristiano Ronaldo is the only Premier League player who receives more abuse than him on Twitter.
However, Ten Hag did not allow the outside noise to affect his judgment and showed his support for Maguire, confirming he will keep the armband.
“That’s three managers now, under whom I have the club captain, it gives me a lot of confidence and trust in what he sees in me around the pitch and around the dressing room,” Maguire said.
“To be captain of this club is a huge honour. I know how much media speculation it brings and I’m used to it now, I’m big enough to take what comes with it. I’m looking forward to leading the team again this season.
Asked if he had ever thought about not wanting to be captain anymore, he replied: “No, not at all. It’s a massive honour, a huge privilege to play for this club but to be captain and the lads at Old Driving Trafford is an amazing feeling.
“I’ve had so many ups and downs in my career. I’m in a phase where I’m an experienced player – 29 years old.
“I’ve played a lot of games for my country and in the Premier League. I feel like I take the criticism and media speculation that comes with it.
Maguire: Great to have Martinez | Switching to right no issue
“Everyone likes to speak positively and everyone at this club has been there in the past so you know that feeling, but you also know the feeling of being criticized, and the way you have to react. Read also : Netflix Top 10: ‘4 Strange Things’ Becomes Second Forever to Cross 1 Billion Hours.
“The first two years at the club we were on a good path and we improved as a team. Last year was a big setback for me but also for us as a team and club. We have to make sure we get it going again.”
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Despite retaining the captaincy, Maguire will have to adapt to a slight change in position following the arrival of new signing Lisandro Martinez.
The Argentine, who arrived from Ajax in a deal worth up to £57m last month, mainly plays as a left-sided centre-back, but Maguire insists switching to the right is not a problem.
“It’s great to have him,” he said. “I’ve played left and right throughout my career, I started on the right from a young age and moved to the left by the end at Leicester, I don’t really have a preference.
“I know a lot of people do, but I’ve played a few times and with England. As long as I can help the team and be involved, that’s what I’m looking for.
‘Ronaldo is a magnificent character’
“It’s great to have him in the building. The more players the better, that’s how I see it, bring in as many as you can to help us compete for the big trophies.
“That’s what I want for this club, I want it to be successful and win trophies. The more competition, the higher quality players we have, will allow us to do that.”
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Maguire was also asked about the impact of United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, whose future has become the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks.
Ronaldo has told the club he wants to leave to play Champions League football and featured just 45 minutes of United’s pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano last weekend.
Asked what Ronaldo has brought to the side since the five-time Ballon d’Or winner returned to Old Trafford, Maguire said: “Goals. Cristiano is a wonderful player and character to be around.
Ten Hag: Similarities between Man Utd and Ajax
“I know what it’s like to have so much speculation around myself, but he takes the majority of it. Everything he does is scrutinized to some degree.
“That’s what you get when you play for this club, the greatness of it. On the other hand, when it’s good, you get a lot of praise, that’s football.”
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Ahead of his first competitive game in charge, Ten Hag sat down with Sky Sports and discussed his managerial journey.
After a hugely successful spell with Ajax, where he won six trophies, including three Eredivisie titles, the Dutchman is determined to make United competitive again.
Man Utd fixtures: Ten Hag debut against Brighton on Sky
“This is the next level, but I think there are a lot of similarities,” Ten Hag said. We know what Manchester United stands for and that is trophies.
“At the moment we’re obviously not there, but we’ve got to get back there.
“However, with hard work and cooperation, we can do it. We have to do it together and it starts with the belief that we can do it.”
Erik ten Hag’s first Premier League game as Manchester United manager will be against Brighton at Old Trafford, live on Sky Sports, on the opening Super Sunday of the 2022/23 season.
Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
After defeating Graham Potter’s Seagulls on Sunday 7 August, live on Sky Sports, United travel to Brentford in the second round of fixtures before taking on rivals Liverpool in a blockbuster early-season clash on the weekend of the 20th.
United’s trip to the Etihad Stadium for the first Manchester derby of the season on October 1 kicks off a daunting month which sees the Ten Hag’s side travel to Everton and Chelsea and take on Tottenham, Newcastle and West Ham.
