Harry Maguire is warned by Erik Ten Hag that his position as captain is not assured

Manager Erik Ten Hag made a few changes to the starting lineup for Manchester United’s match against Liverpool on Monday, one of which was to start Lisandro Martinez at centre back instead of the team’s captain Harry Maguire. Martinez and Varane worked well together to defend United’s two goals against their old rivals as they earned their first Premier League victory of the year.

Harry Maguire is warned by Erik Ten Hag that his position as captain is not assured

According to sources, Ten Hag informed Maguire prior to the game that neither his spot in the starting lineup nor his captaincy position were guaranteed every week. A center-back rotation will take place during the season, the manager has advised the England international. The 29-year-old defender that United purchased from Leicester in 2019 is still not on the market.

Maguire has endured consistent criticism from the United supporter base for his defensive shortcomings, and his position as captain, which he has held since Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s tenure as manager, has subsequently appeared to be in jeopardy.

Regular midfielder Bruno Fernandes was given the starting nod in place of Maguire. Even Cristiano Ronaldo, who started the game on the bench for Portugal, was one of the four substitutions for the Old Trafford game. However, the adjustments didn’t only apply to the staff.

Ten Hag lived true to his reputation after United’s matchday two loss against Brentford, which was 4-0. Ten Hag was known for upsetting the status quo to get the greatest performance out of his players during his time at Ajax.

The Dutch coach cancelled the team’s free day and ordered the players to make up the 13.8 kilometres that the opponents had outpaced them by the very following day at United’s Aon Training Complex in Carrington. The players’ initial response to their manager’s request, it is claimed, was one of frustration; but, as they learned that Ten Hag would be joining them on the run, most of them soon changed to one of surprise.

The United team has resumed training in preparation for their upcoming Premier League match against Southampton at St. Mary’s on Saturday.