Erik Ten Hag Showers Harry Maguire With Rare Praises as Defender Rediscovers Form

• Harry Maguire was close to leaving Manchester United in the summer
• Premier League side West Ham were in a pole position to sign him at the time
• However, the proposed transfer fell through and has gone on to reclaim his spot

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has showered Harry Maguire with rare praises amid the centre-back's continued resurgence.

Maguire has enjoyed a fine run of form in recent weeks that has seen him force his way back into ten Hag's starting XI.

The England international looked set to depart Old Trafford in the summer after he fell down the pecking order under the Dutchman, who initially appeared to prefer the partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.

According to Goal, Maguire was expected to join West Ham United in the summer, only for the proposed transfer to fall through in the 11th hour.

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The former Leicester City star was subsequently forced to stay at the Theatre of Dreams for another season, with injuries to Varane and Martinez allowing him to force his way back to the team.

ten Hag praises Maguire

Incredibly, the 30-year-old has since rediscovered his form, forming an integral part of ten Hag's squad.

Speaking ahead of United's Premier League clash against Newcastle, ten Hag underscored Maguire's pivotal part in the team, describing the centre-back as 'an important player.'

“He’s now a very important player for us — he fought back, and he showed great mentality," Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano quoted ten Hag saying on X.

“In this season, we’re in right direction and Harry is in the right direction with his team. Now make the next steps," the Dutchman added.

Ghanaian MP apologises to Harry Maguire

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Honourable Isaac Adongo has finally apologised to Harry Maguire a year after mocking the Manchester United defender.

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Honourable Adongo went viral during one of his submissions last year after comparing the footballer to the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

However, in Parliament on Tuesday, the MP praised Maguire for his 'positive transformation' while criticising Dr Bawumia for the country's economic woes.