Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag takes thinly-veiled dig at Solskjaer over Harry Maguire | Football | Sport

Maguire came into the United side for Sunday’s match at Nottingham Forest. Lisandro Martinez is out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury, while Raphael Varane is also nursing an issue of his own.

The England defender had a poor start at the City Ground and was booked in just the third minute. But he composed himself and helped lead United to a comfortable 2-0 win that has taken them back into third place in the Premier League table.

Maguire partnered Victor Lindelof at the back in a league match for the first time since January 3. Maguire lined up as the right-sided centre-back and Lindelof on the left.

Solskjaer brought Maguire to Old Trafford in the summer of 2019, splashing out £85million. Throughout his reign at Old Trafford, he would often use Maguire as the left-sided centre-back.

Following the win over Forest, Sky Sports presenter David Jones pointed out to Ten Hag that Maguire and Lindelof are used to playing on the opposite sides of central defence. Jones said: “Tell us about your centre-back partnership as well today Erik.

“Of course, you’re missing Martinez and Varane, so Lindelof and Maguire played at the back today. You had Maguire on the right-hand side and Lindelof on the left, where we’ve seen them play the other way around most of the time. What was your thinking there?”

However, Ten Hag put Jones in his place. He insisted that Maguire has not played as a left centre-back this season.