Manchester United captain Harry Maguire may fast be at risk under new boss Erik ten Hag

Before Erik ten Hag could hop on board and start the trek back to the UK, he had to do one last interview with MUTV. Dozens of supporters sat about 50ft above Ten Hag, peering over the edge of the stand to get a glimpse of the new United manager, who was standing just outside the dressing room. As Ten Hag turned to the fans to wave goodbye, one of them yelled at the Dutchman: “Sell Maguire.”

Maguire had been one of United’s best performers in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa that day – and had a good pre-season tour overall – but the fans had seemingly not forgotten about their captain’s subpar displays last season. There were plenty to choose from. Maguire was also booed during United’s friendly against Crystal Palace in Melbourne.

On Sunday, Maguire was not targeted individually by the boo-boys. Instead, the crowd poured scorn on the whole team for their poor display, particularly in the first half. The jeers that rang around Old Trafford after Brighton & Hove Albion had scored their second goal reflected what everyone inside the stadium was thinking: this is not good enough.

Ten Hag enjoyed a successful pre-season, and in the second half yesterday (Sunday) United looked a little more potent going forward, but defensively, they are still incredibly vulnerable.

If Brighton can score twice inside 40 minutes at Old Trafford, think of the damage that Liverpool could do to Ten Hag’s team when they visit in two weeks’ time.

Maguire was not the only poor performer yesterday (Sunday), but he did not exactly do much to dissuade the doubters either. There is no doubt about Maguire’s ability with the ball at his feet. Ten Hag wants his centre backs to bring the ball out and he did so with panache, regularly driving forward across the halfway line to feed the ball into midfield.

There was a moment in the first half when the crowd purred as Maguire picked out Marcus Rashford with a peach of a 50-yard pass.

Defensively, however, questions still remain about whether Ten Hag should build his defence around Maguire. Opposition teams will try to get in behind United now that they play a high line, and Maguire is unlikely to be able to keep up with any pacy striker who breaks through.

He also looked rather cumbersome in the build-up to Brighton’s first goal, which came from a routine attack, not a lightning counterattack. He stood facing front-on as Leandro Trossard slid the ball through to Danny Welbeck, who was played onside by the United captain. Welbeck teed up Pascal Gross and the Old Trafford faithful fell into the kind of despair they thought they had left behind last season. It would have helped United if Diogo Dalot had closed down Trossard, of course, and had Scott McTominay not lost the ball further upfield United would have not been in so much trouble, but Maguire still should have been more alert.

Maguire is not the only reason why United looked so poor defensively. Lisandro Martinez, the £55 million signing from Ajax, also looked good in possession and he was also tenacious, but he was lucky not to give away a penalty when he barged over Welbeck in the box. The Argentinian will need time to adapt and develop an understanding with Maguire.

“Me and Licha [Martinez] have not played much together and were not on the same wavelength at times,” Maguire said. “I am sure we will get better and keep clean sheets.”

Given that Ten Hag is such a disciplinarian, it would not be a surprise if the Dutchman dropped either of his centre halves a month into the season if they do not improve. It was interesting to hear Ten Hag speak so effusively in his pre-match press conference last Friday about Raphael Varane.

“When Rapha is fit, it is a huge boost for both the squad and the team,” Ten Hag said of the French defender. “I am convinced that the best is yet to come from him.

“During pre-season we built a really careful and individual training and he has been involved in every session on the pitch. I am really happy about that.”

Ten Hag will have to resolve other problems if United are to stop conceding sloppy goals. McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Fred left Maguire and Martinez wide open at times by losing the ball up the pitch.

This was only the third time that one of Ten Hag’s teams had faced as many as 12 shots in the first half of a game. The midfield offered the back four no protection.

Brighton’s second originated from Trossard being allowed to back-heel the ball to a teammate from a tight position near his own corner flag.

David de Gea’s passing game will have to improve too under Ten Hag. The Spaniard looked a little flustered at times in possession, which is not a good sign given that Ten Hag is insistent that United must play out from the back. Most of United’s defenders have room for improvement in that department.

“We’ve got to be better on the ball,” Maguire said. “We gave it away too much and gave them encouragement to come forward. It was a nightmare start to be 2-0 down at half-time.”

Ten Hag has much to ponder.

– The Times

Originally published as Manchester United captain Harry Maguire may fast be at risk under new boss Erik ten Hag