Manchester United told Harry Maguire decision needs to come from Erik ten Hag

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag must be completely backed with whatever decision he makes with captain Harry Maguire. That's according to Liverpool great John Barnes after Ten Hag was officially confirmed as permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Thursday morning.

Ten Hag will remain with Ajax until the end of this season as he continues to target a third Eredivisie title. But with another challenge on the horizon, the 52-year-old will have important decisions to make at Old Trafford - including dealing with some calls to remove Maguire as skipper.

Maguire has struggled for top form throughout the campaign and United are set to target a new centre-back after splashing out for Raphael Varane from Real Madrid last summer. Barnes does not think drastic measures are needed when it comes to Maguire, though, unless Ten Hag views them as necessary for team progression.

READ MORE: Updates as Manchester United appoint Erik ten Hag as their permanent manager

Speaking in his role as an ambassador for BonusCodeBets, former England star Barnes said: "I would be supportive of any decision a manager makes. People can always speculate - but I would always support any decision made by the manager of a football club.

"Everyone should support it. That's whether he stripped Harry Maguire as captain, or even chooses to retain him. A manager must have full autonomy no matter what he does."

Barnes added: "I'm not saying Harry Maguire should be stripped of the captaincy, he's a good player and captain. It isn't Harry Maguire's fault that United are where they find themselves. It is the team and instability that United have been through."

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