Erik ten Hag gives three reasons why Harry Maguire has improved as Manchester United captain

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Erik ten Hag claims Harry Maguire is improving as captain at Manchester United after revealing he had become "more dominant" at Carrington.

The central defender has remained club captain this season despite starting just 11 games under Ten Hag. Maguire has worn the armband when he's been on the pitch, but Bruno Fernandes has been captain when he's not played.

Maguire played the full 90 minutes of United's 1-0 win against Real Betis on Thursday night and produced a good performance, before insisting that he still has a key role to play at the club. READ MORE: Ten Hag sends message to Martial over his future Ten Hag is also pleased with the off-field skills he's showing and is happy to rely on the 29-year-old, who he believes is improving as a leader. "I am really happy with Harry’s progress, he is more dominant and dictating, taking more initiative in the training space," he said. "[On Thursday] we saw him in Seville against Betis where he showed leadership, especially in the aspects of initiative and dictation of the game." Facundo Pellistri also started in Seville, the first time he has done so for United, and he caught the eye on the wing, but Ten Hag has told the Uruguayan, as well as other talented youngsters such Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, that they have to hit the ground running when they get their chances at United. "You have to deserve it and you have to gather it by yourself," he said. "We will help him with the culture, the way of play and the coaches are really working hard with him. "But the players have to take their chances and deserve them by performing every day on and off the pitch.