Why Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek are absent for Man United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek have not been included in the Manchester United squad to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag named an unchanged starting team from the one that beat Wolves 1-0 in the opening game of the season.

It was revealed on Friday that defender Maguire did not travel with the United squad to North London. He appeared on the bench in the opening fixture but did not make an appearance.

And the England international did not meet up with his teammates in the capital as some players do in certain circumstances. He is instead left out of the matchday squad, with two goalkeepers – Dean Henderson and Radek Vitek – on there instead.

It has been reported by Simon Peach that Maguire has not travelled for the encounter due to a ‘small injury issue’.

This comes shortly after manager Ten Hag explained that the defender needs to battle for a position in the team following the collapse of a potential move to West Ham.

“He [Maguire] has to fight for his place,” stated Ten Hag ahead of his team’s 1-0 win against Wolves last Monday.

“He has the ability to be a top-class centre-back and he is the best for England so why shouldn’t he be the best for us? But he has to prove it. When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to go, then he has to make a decision, but I’m happy with him.”

Meanwhile, Donny van de Beek is again not involved for The Reds – with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the reason is down to ongoing negotiations about a potential Old Trafford exit for the player.

The United boss will be expecting an improved performance from his side against Spurs, after being fortunate to pick up all three points against Wolves.