LOS ANGELES, California — Harry Maguire has admitted that hypothesis round Erik ten Hag‘s future affected Manchester United‘s performances final season.
United completed eighth within the Premier League earlier than ending a depressing marketing campaign on a excessive by beating Manchester Metropolis within the FA Cup remaining.
A second trophy in as a few years was sufficient to hold Ten Hag in a job, however Maguire says speak that the Dutchman may very well be sacked had an influence on the gamers all through the season.
“It was robust,” Maguire mentioned in an interview in Los Angeles at the beginning of United’s U.S. tour.
“It most likely did harm our performances and outcomes all through the season possibly a bit bit. Particularly when it occurred round that Christmas interval once we actually did fall off. However credit score to the supervisor, the best way that he dealt with it.”
A report within the build-up to the cup remaining steered Ten Hag can be sacked whatever the end result in opposition to Metropolis.
United defied the percentages to win 2-1, however regardless of the success Maguire says there was a subdued ambiance on the post-match social gathering in London whereas hypothesis continued to swirl across the supervisor’s place.
“It was so unusual,” Maguire mentioned. “Nobody actually knew what was occurring. Nobody had assurance.
“For those who requested the gamers, they’re going to most likely simply say they did not actually know as a result of nobody actually had a clue. It was actually spectacular with the best way that he dealt with that week with a victory in opposition to most likely the perfect crew in Europe in the intervening time.”
Sources have advised ESPN that United spoke to quite a few different managerial candidates together with Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi earlier than deciding to stay with Ten Hag.
The membership have since prolonged his contract by a 12 months and Maguire believes it is the correct resolution.
“He has proven we are able to beat the highest groups and we’ve received two trophies in two years,” the defender mentioned.
“The primary season was actually good, final season wasn’t. Final season was robust for Erik as effectively. There was a lot uncertainty and the quantity of accidents was freakish actually and I’m fairly assured that will not occur this season. “We place confidence in the administration crew and the additions he has made are actually good as effectively.”
Maguire is match once more after lacking the cup remaining and the European Championship with a calf damage.
The 31-year-old mentioned lacking the Wembley showpiece and the Euros was the “hardest second of his profession” however after doing additional periods with a United coach whereas on vacation in Portugal he is able to make his return in opposition to Arsenal in a pleasant held at SoFi Stadium on Saturday.
He is been linked with a transfer away from Previous Trafford this summer season, however he says he needs to remain.
“Till I get advised you are up on the market or we wish you to go away I need to play for this membership and make it profitable once more,” he mentioned.
“All of the issues I am listening to and seeing from everybody concerned is I will be a part of this membership for the longer term.”
