Erik ten Hag sends blunt message to Harry Maguire over Manchester United future

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has bluntly told Harry Maguire the onus is on him to salvage his career at the club.

Maguire's mooted £30million transfer to West Ham United collapsed this week after he rejected United's offer of a pay-off, believed to be around £6m. Maguire was said to be seeking between £10m-£15m as his salary would have been reduced at West Ham.

Ten Hag started Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez at centre half in United's opening Premier League victory over Wolves on Monday night and when Martinez was substituted at half-time he was replaced by Victor Lindelof.

Maguire, 30, started eight Premier League matches last season and 16 overall for United, while he was stripped of the club captaincy last month.

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"It's up to him," Ten Hag curtly said when asked what playing time Maguire could expect. The Dutchman was then asked to expand on his reply. "He knows what i expect from him.

"I've been here for one year now and you know what I expect from a centre half. And he can do it, I've told you many times before he has the ability to do it so now he has to show it.

"It is then about character, to be convinced to play that role, he has all the abilities to do it and it is up to him when the time [opportunity] is there.

"Harry is a player for us, I am happy he is here, we need a good squad, we have four good centre halves - including Luke Shaw we have five - and we need it because we are going to play 50-60 games this season.

"All the players are internationals, so we have a very heavy load to cover so I am happy Harry Maguire is here."

Martinez came off with an ankle issue but Ten Hag, whose press conference was held on Thursday,