"This is scandalous" - Erik ten Hag must start playing 29-year-old Man United player, manager claims

Former Bolton and England boss Sam Allardyce has told Erik ten Hag that he should restore Man United captain Harry Maguire to the Red Devils starting lineup.

The England international was initially dropped from the XI for United's 2-1 win over Liverpool on August 22.

He had started the pair of defeats against Brighton and Brentford, with the Red Devils suffering a humiliating 4-0 loss in the second of those matches.

Since then, Maguire is yet to return to the starting XI for a Premier League match.

He did, however, start United's 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad in the Europa League. Maguire then received a call-up to the England squad, and played 90 minutes in each of the two Nations League matches against Italy and Germany last month.

The 29-year-old then suffered an injury, which has ruled him out since early October.

He is now back in training, and could be in contention to be included in the side that takes on Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday.

Speaking prior to the game, Ten Hag told the media that Maguire has "great capabilities", and "always has an important role" in the squad.

In regards to the Premier League, an injury to Raphael Varane during the 1-1 draw against Chelsea at the weekend could open the door for Maguire to get a regular run of games before the World Cup.

And that is what Allardyce believes the defender should receive.

Sam Allardyce backs Maguire to return to United XI

On his new podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, Allardyce spoke first about the criticism that Maguire has received in recent months.

He said: "This is scandalous, what's happening. This is out and out trying to destroy somebody. Everybody's on his back.

"Nobody can withstand that sort of pressure and criticism which is being portrayed in every way shape or form. Through the media, on the TV, through the press, through the radio, social media. It's bound to affect Harry."

He then added: "Not playing for Manchester United, I find that rather strange that he's not in the team. Why is he not in the team, what is [Ten Hag] thinking?

"Why is he playing some of the players that he's bought over Harry Maguire? Is that why he's playing them over Harry, because he's bought them?

"That's what it looks like to me, because they certainly don't look any better than Harry Maguire to me.

"I'd like to see him playing for Manchester United again, because having watched the defending against Manchester City, they needed him. If he can't get in the side when they are defending like that, I don't know what's going on there."