"Bit of a masterstroke" - Sky journalist praises Erik ten Hag after risky Man United decision

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag played a “masterstroke” when he dropped club captain Harry Maguire, a Sky Sports journalist has claimed.

Maguire started the season as captain, but the England international was duly dropped for World Cup winner Raphaël Varane after Man Utd’s torrid opening two games, in which they lost 2-1 to Brighton and 4-0 at Brentford.

While Maguire was clearly suffering from a lack of confidence, the decision to drop the England talisman sparked a media stir.

When asked about his decision to drop Maguire, ten Hag said in a pre-match press conference: “Yes, but I think that doesn’t mean when you are captain you are established to always play, especially when you also have Varane in your squad.”

With the centre-back out of the side Man Utd have risen from bottom place to fifth, and gone on a run of four consecutive wins.

The club have now lost just one league game since the Brentford defeat, against local rivals and reigning champions, Manchester City.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth insisted that the ten Hag’s decision to keep Maguire as captain but also drop him from the starting 11 sent a clear message to senior players within the dressing room.

Speaking to GiveMeSport Sheth said: “Then you've got the other situation where he's made Harry Maguire the captain.

“And I think that this was a bit of a masterstroke actually because he made him captain and then dropped him.

“So, it was almost like saying to everyone, ‘nobody is guaranteed a place in this team, even the captain’.”

Maguire was sidelined in recent weeks with a hamstring injury, however he is thought to have recovered and be back in first-team contention.

The England star's hopes of playing have been boosted after Varane suffered a hamstring injury of his own that could see him miss the World Cup.

Maguire will compete with Victor Lindelöf for a place alongside Lisandro Martínez in Man Utd’s defence.