Ten Hag says Maguire keeping Varane out of Man Utd team

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists he does not have an issue with centre-back Raphael Varane and is just "very happy" with Harry Maguire's form.

Varane has not started in the last four games across all competitions, only coming on from the bench in the previous two matches against Fulham and FC Copenhagen.

Ten Hag has opted to play Jonny Evans alongside Maguire and justified the decision by stating how pleased he has been with the latter's performances.

The United boss said: "Maguire is doing very well at the moment, and I am very happy with that. 

"As I always said, Maguire can do the job — and now he is showing he can do the job. 

"Last year Harry didn't play a lot, so I was very happy with Raphael's [Varane] performances.

"I have always been happy with his performance. But in this moment, Harry is playing very well and there is internal competition."

The Dutchman claims Maguire and Varane can play together but also admits United struggle to build up from the back when they do.

He added: "There are moments in certain games where they can play together and they have already proven they can do it. 

"But the build-up is not that fluid when one of them is playing from the left. The injuries don’t help us. 

"So often you have to swap the back four and then you don't get the routine. In such moments, it is so important to have routines."

Ten Hag has ruled Evans out of tomorrow's Premier League match against Luton with injury, which could pave the way for Varane to return to the starting XI.