The pressure is now on Raphael Varane to regain his starting position, but Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has lauded Harry Maguire for “taking his chance” to return to the club.

After not seeing much action last season—which led to his dismissal as captain and subsequent loss of starting position—Maguire had the option to depart Old Trafford before the 2023–24 season.

Maguire requested compensation from Manchester United to make up for his lost wages after agreeing to a reduced contract and moving to east London for a £30 million transfer fee with West Ham United. The intended pact fell through because of the inability to achieve an agreement on that front.

Maguire deserves credit for never giving up on reclaiming his starting spot at Old Trafford. At first, it appeared like things weren’t going his way; Ten Hag preferred a back-two-two with Varane and Lisandro Martinez, and he then introduced Victor Lindelof as a potential backup.

Maguire and Jonny Evans were promoted to the starting lineup in place of Varane and Martinez for last month’s home match against Brentford, forcing the versatile Lindelof to fill in as an emergency left back.

Since then, Maguire has started every game for United, and the Red Devils have won four of their five Premier League matches. Meanwhile, supporters are wondering why Evans has been chosen over four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane, who has struggled to get playing time after returning to health.

Ten Hag’s reasoning is two-pronged: first, he wants to reward Maguire for his efforts, and second, he wants to maintain his notion that his center-back combination needs balance.

Ten Hag told beIN SPORTS that Maguire had seized his opportunity, but that similar opportunities will inevitably arise.

He seized the opportunity presented by Raphael Varane’s absence; we were only discussing wounded players. In my opinion, when you have a team, that’s just the way it is at the best teams. Your chance will come, and when it does, you must seize it while the others must resist.

Ten Hag continued by explaining why he seldom paired Maguire and Varane.

Certain games allow them to play together. However, ever since I arrived here, I’ve had the idea that my left flank needs a player who is adept at using his left foot to create more and better angles. “That is why I was upfront about it,” the employer stated.

We needed someone with that left foot, so we signed Licha Martinez. Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, and Luke Shaw are just a few of our other players who can step in and do it. They can all play that position, and it works for our style of play and my perspective on the game.