Harry Maguire praised for summer ‘professionalism’ by Manchester United coach

Harry Maguire has been praised for his ‘professionalism’ this summer after he did not leave Manchester United and Erik ten Hag.

Many assumed that last season would be Harry Maguire‘s final at Manchester United, with the player demoted in Erik ten Hag‘s squad.

Maguire currently sits as United’s fourth-choice centre-back behind Lisandro Martínez, Raphaël Varane, and Victor Lindelöf, and was lined up for a move to West Ham late in the window, but the transfer collapsed after he rejected the personal terms offered to him.

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Mike Phelan, former United assistant coach and also a former coach of Maguire at Hull, has praised Maguire for his professionalism during the window just gone.

“I have a lot of respect for Harry as I listen now to what he is going through and what he has gone through, he’s handled it unbelievably professionally and that is not easy,” Phelan told Sky Sports.

“Because the spotlight is on him when he does or doesn’t play. And he knows that because he’s a professional.

“The new manager comes in and wants to change captaincy, these things happen and he knows that. It’s not nice at times when you don’t know the role you’re supposed to do. He’s kept himself available, extremely professional, fit.

“Yes, there has been talk about a move, it hasn’t happened. It might still happen. I know he will give everything for Manchester United until the moment he doesn’t have that shirt on.

“He’s a good footballer. Yes, there are weaknesses in his game. But they were there in his days at Hull. Some say you should improve your weaknesses, but I’m a believer in keeping on playing to strengths. His ability on the ball, he can read the game, he can definitely score a goal, and he’s a good guy. He’s one of the good guys in football.

“He plays for England and hopefully will do for a long time, and he turns up – he doesn’t shirk his responsibilities. So credit to Harry.”