Erik ten Hag hails ‘great leader’ Harry Maguire amid West Ham interest as he bemoans defensive issues
Erik ten Hag has admitted losing his star defenders to injury has been very difficult, but has heaped praise on Harry Maguire.
Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw have both been long-term absentees for Manchester United this season, with the former missing out due to foot, knee and calf injuries and the latter struggling with a muscle injury.
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Raphael Varane will miss most of the rest of the season and Jonny Evans has also been struggling. As a result, Ten Hag has been unable to maintain a consistent defensive line this season, and he's now addressed the impact of that on his side's campaign.
"It's very difficult [to keep changing the back four]," he said ahead of his side's clash against Bournemouth. "So everyone who has a little bit of knowledge about football - a little - they know it will affect your results and performances.
"Back four is always the foundation to get results. We didn't have that.
"But we still have to win, we know that, so then others have to take responsibility but when you oversee then you know it has a negative impact."
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Stats suggest it's a real headache for him, with United conceding in eight successive top-flight away matches since a 0-0 draw at Anfield in December, shipping 17 goals in the process.
One player who has been playing consistently for Ten Hag in Martinez's absence is Maguire.
Despite West Ham bidding for him in the summer and Ten Hag taking the captain's armband off him to give to Bruno Fernandes, the defender's form has recently vastly improved.
When asked about reports of the Hammers being interested in his defender again, Ten Hag said: "You have to see it in that perspective. We were always happy with Harry Maguire but he wants to play.
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"He's a great leader, he's a very good defender, very comfortable on the ball.
"When I count all of those abilities, just now when we are on our defending line we have our problems, he is even more important to lead that line, to make us play from the back.
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"So we are very pleased he is there and we need him to get our results and achieve our targets."
There are good omens for Manchester United, who have won four of their last five Premier League visits to Bournemouth, including a 1-0 victory last season.
But The Cherries won 3-0 in December and are looking for a first ever league double over United.
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