Contradanyc.com – Manchester United or MU captain, Harry Maguire, missed the Manchester derby against Manchester City, Sunday 2 October 2022. Maguire could not defend his team due to injury.
The centre-back seems to have fallen out of favor with new United boss Erik ten Hag. However, he could feature in both England matches during the international break.
However, he suffered a suspected hamstring injury during England’s 3-3 draw with Germany at Wembley earlier this week. Ten Hag have now confirmed that the 29-year-old will not play on the trip to the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
Ten Hag also confirmed that Maguire is still the club captain. United also keep the door open for Maguire to re-enter the first team after falling behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in the Old Trafford pecking order.
“I have to train him and support him. I support him because I believe in him. I can see the quality. The quality is there. Nearly 50 caps for England, he has high potential. Then it’s about him. We all believe in him,” Ten Hag told reporters.
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“He is doing quite well, but there is always room for improvement. If he shows his own ability, he will come back, and I am sure of that. His ability is very high,” said Ten Hag.
I’m Well
While Maguire is out, Ten Hag has got better news about Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford. Both are now back in training.
“Anthony Martial has been training with the group all week, very happy with the situation. Marcus Rashford is also training, so we are happy with that,” he added.
Martial has only made one appearance so far this season under Ten Hag and has been sidelined since the win over Liverpool on 22 August 2022 with a calf problem.
Best Manager
Manchester United, Rashford, meanwhile, missed England’s games against Italy and Germany through injury. However, he was named Premier League player of the year in September after scoring twice and assisting two more in two appearances.
Ten Hag himself was named the manager of the month of September as a result of wins over Leicester City and Arsenal. He points out that the award is proof that his team is moving in the right direction.
Work Hard
“What we achieved, we did together, it says we are in the right direction. There is a lot of room for improvement, we have to do it. It says we are in the right direction but have to work harder,” he said in the pre-conference session of the match press .
The Red Devils have won four Premier League games in a row after opening the season with back-to-back defeats. Victory in Ten Hag’s first Manchester derby this weekend would leave them two points adrift of their opponents and reigning champions Man City.
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Important Match
“I approached this by looking at ourselves. Manchester United, we want to win every game. The goal for Sunday is none other than. We have to do our best and of course a good plan, and execution,” he added.
“I’ve played a lot of derbies. I know what it is, what the competition is, what they do with each other. I know this is the most important game in the Manchester area. It excites me. You did everything to win that game.
