Harry Maguire reveals Man Utd dressing room's reaction to Erik ten Hag sack fears

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has spoken out on the speculation over Erik ten Hag's future at the end of last season and claims it affected players' performances

Harry Maguire feels speculation over Erik ten Hag's future hurt Manchester United last season

Harry Maguire claimed the uncertainty surrounding Erik ten Hag's position conspired to sabotage Manchester United's chances of success last season.

Despite leading United to FA Cup success over local rivals Manchester City, Ten Hag was left in limbo for two-and-a-half weeks over the summer, before being given the green light to carry on.

Maguire admitted it was strange celebrating United's FA Cup triumph with the players and staff on the night of their Wembley win, not knowing if any of them would see Ten Hag again.

But Maguire reckons all the speculation surrounding Ten Hag's future affected the form of the players, with United ending the season in eighth place, their worst-ever Premier League finish. “It was tough,” said Maguire, speaking at United's Los Angeles hotel on their US tour. “I felt some of the things that came out in the lead up to the FA Cup final were really poor.

“The manager handled it brilliantly. For us players, we didn’t see anything different in the manager, so credit to him for the way he handled it, because there was so much uncertainty around the club.

“Especially for the staff, the manager and all of the other staff as well around the club, they didn’t know what was happening the following year. It was tough.

“It probably did damage our performances and results throughout the season, especially when it happened around that Christmas period when we really did fall off.”

Ten Hag's future was up in the air at the end of last season

Reflecting on the surreal atmosphere at United's party to toast their FA Cup win, Maguire said: “It was so strange. No-one really knew what was going on, no-one had any assurances. But I think it’s the same for players. It happens every summer - there are so many players linked with the club and so many linked with going away, you just don’t know.

“If you'd asked the players, they'd probably have said they didn’t really know, because no-one really had a clue.

“But credit to the manager for taking the team out with a victory against probably the best team in Europe at the moment.

“He could have downed tools and maybe just thought his time was over, but he definitely didn’t do that.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and United's top brass have since extended Ten Hag's contract

Maguire, 31, showed his strength of character last summer, after having the captaincy taken off him by Ten Hag, by emerging as United's most reliable centre-back last season, stepping up when others were ruled out, until his own campaign was cut short by injury.

“I'm really proud,” said Maguire. “I always had great belief in myself. In my fourth year, under Erik, I didn't play as much as I would have liked, so I knew I had to bide my time.

“I spoke with the manager last year about my situation, whether to move on and get regular football and regular game time, but he fully believed in me. He said there will always be chances. I backed myself to get back into his plans and was really pleased with the way I handled last year. My form was really good in every game I played.

“The only other part of it was that it was frustrating how many little injuries I did pick up throughout the season which really stopped me from playing 30 to 40 games, instead of the 20-odd I did.”

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Despite only having one year left on his contract, with the option for an extra year, Maguire wants to stay at United and play his part in trying to make the team successful again.

“Until I get told 'you're up for sale' or 'we want you to leave', I want to play for this club and make it successful again.

“All the things I’m hearing and seeing, from everyone involved, is that I’ll be part of this club for the future.

“I’m a player with only a year left on my contract, with an option, but if they come to me and say they don’t want me any more, of course I’ll look for options elsewhere, but that’s never been told to me