Manchester United will hold on to Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay despite a lack of minutes this season as manager Erik ten Hag wants to maintain defensive cover.
Manchester United want to keep Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay this month to maintain depth of strength for their squad.
Captain Maguire has started just three games this season in the Premier League and made an injury-time cameo in Saturday’s win over Wolves.
Despite being an integral part of England’s international side, Maguire continues to be overlooked by Erik ten Hag, who wants to keep him for defence.
Both Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay have struggled for game time so far this season
Manager Erik ten Hag is keen to keep both players, as he wants defensive cover
His playing time is set to be more limited ahead of the return of Lisandro Martinez, who could feature on Tuesday after returning to training late due to Argentina’s World Cup triumph.
Meanwhile, McTominay has struggled for game time since Casemiro’s £70million arrival last summer.
His last start for the club came in the 6-3 defeat at Manchester City in October and has since been used as a late substitute on several occasions.
Maguire was ignored by Ten Hag despite being an important player for England
The Scotland international has missed United’s last two games through illness but looks set to return for the Bournemouth clash.
Speaking before the game, Erik ten Hag said: ‘Both (McTominay and Martinez) trained yesterday and today, so I’m quite optimistic about (them) coming back into the squad, both of them.’
A win against the Cherries could see United move up to third in the league table if Arsenal beat Newcastle.
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