Erik ten Hag has insisted that one Manchester United star has been “really proactive” and “really confident” after praising the “huge improvement” that he has made at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United manager’s future remains shrouded in mystery amid an underwhelming season, with Erik ten Hag facing immense pressure.
Ten Hag’s men are all but certain to finish outside of the Premier League top four and a return to the Champions League next season has become a faded dream.
The 54-year-old Dutchman will be hopeful of ending the season on a high note after reaching back-to-back FA Cup finals during his time in charge at Old Trafford.
United survived an FA Cup upset at the hands of Coventry City in the semi-finals and will return to Wembley next month for their showdown with Manchester City.
Ten Hag’s side fell short of the FA Cup trophy in his debut season at United after Manchester City secured a 2-1 win in the final at Wembley in 2023.
Ten Hag praises Man Utd star
Erik ten Hag has faced an injury crisis at Manchester United and his first-team squad has seen several key defenders sidelined towards the tail end of the season.
The United manager has had to rely heavily on Harry Maguire as his leading centre-back in the absence of former Ajax star Lisandro Martinez.
Harry Maguire was stripped of the United captaincy under Ten Hag last summer and the United centre-back’s future at Old Trafford was plunged into serious doubt.
The 31-year-old England defender was heavily linked with a move to West Ham in 2023, but Maguire remained at United and fought for his place in the starting XI.
Maguire has undergone an incredible transformation at Old Trafford this season and the United star has seen a resurgence in form under Ten Hag.
Speaking to MUTV, Ten Hag praised the impact that Maguire has had at United and believes the Three Lions star has made a “huge improvement” at the club.
“You’ve had so many injuries, it’s been crazy, but Harry Maguire continues to be available,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“He’s had a really good spell of form, scored in successive matches, and the character he’s displayed. How important is he right now, Harry?
“I think he made a huge improvement in the two seasons I’m here. He’s, in this moment, really proactive, really confident.
“Yeah, stepping in, driving the team forward, making the switches, his work going forward and defending proper and [being] tough. And scoring as well. So, yeah, he’s doing everything in his moment, what you can expect from a centre-half.”
Ten Hag talks Man Utd star Casemiro
Amid the injuries plaguing his defensive line, Ten Hag has turned to midfielder Casemiro as a makeshift centre-back and partnered him alongside Maguire in defence.
Casemiro played in the defensive role in the penalty shootout win over Coventry City and in the 4-2 Premier League win over Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Ten Hag called the 32-year-old Brazilian midfielder “magnificent” when he is on the ball and says he is always “finding the right decisions” when he is in possession.
“You know especially when it’s Casemiro! He’s magnificent when he is on the ball, always finding the right positions,” he said.
“Always finding the right decisions when he is on the ball, and everyone can see he’s a great player and he really contributes to our building-up play.”