Harry Maguire has given Erik ten Hag his first major Manchester United decision

Erik ten Hag has a major tactical decision to make with Manchester United captain Harry Maguire. Maguire signed for United for £80m from Leicester in 2019.

Then manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said that Maguire was a “great reader of the game and has a strong presence on the pitch.” It’s safe to say that things have not turned out that way.

Maguire has been a constant source of frustration among much of the fanbase for some woeful defensive displays. However, even Maguire’s fiercest critics recognise his ability to carry the ball from deep. This attribute would seem to make ideal for ten Hag.

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Ajax’s centre backs, Lisandro Martínez and Jurrien Timber are often tasked with receiving the ball and starting the Dutch champions’ build up play. However, Maguire’s tendency for horrific mistakes, combined with an occasional lack of agility, would hinder his effectiveness in this style of play.

Ten Hag’s Ajax play with intensity, pressing the opposition high up the pitch. Maguire has excelled in teams which do the opposite.

At Leicester and for England, he has performed fantastically in teams with a regular back five who rely on hitting opponents on the breaks. Playing in an organised 5-3-2/3-5-2 offers footballers like Maguire extra security.

Mistakes are more likely to be cleaned up by other defenders than in a back four. Furthermore, ball carriers know there will be greater support behind them if an attack breaks down.

It is no coincidence that Maguire’s worst performances have come at United, where he has predominately played in a back four within a team who often have to take the game to the opposition. When United have played in a back five, it has not