Erik ten Hag gives clarity on Jonny Evans’ future after Harry Maguire’s transfer collapse

"We are in talks."

Erik ten Hag has given clarity on the future of Jonny Evans at Manchester United following the collapse of Harry Maguire's transfer to West Ham. Evans, who had previously played for United under Sir Alex Ferguson, had returned to the club on a one month contract and travelled with the squad on their pre-season tour. Maguire on the other hand looked set to be leaving the club after being stripped of the captaincy and struggling to get much game time under the manager. The England international was on the brink of a move to West Ham, which meant that Evans' contract was going to be extended in order to maintain depth in that position. However since that transfer collapsed, it was unsure whether or not ten Hag would still want to keep the Northern Ireland star.

"No it does not affect it," said the Dutchman. "We will see. We are in talks and when we have news we will bring it as always.

"For this month he [Evans] is under contract but we are talking. Of course (we want him to stay), otherwise we would not be talking."

Maguire will now have to fight for his place on the team, and despite his manager's willingness to sell him earlier in the summer, ten Hag insists that he is happy to have the centre back.

"Harry is a player for us, and I’m happy he is here,’ he said. "We need a good squad and we have four good centre-halves. Including Luke Shaw, we have five and we need it because we are going to play 50 to 60 games this season. "All the players are internationals, so we have a very heavy load to cover and I am happy Harry Maguire is here.

"He has to fight for his position, as everyone in the squad has to, because we have constructed a squad with two players for every position and we need it.

"It's up to him. He knows what to expect from me. I’ve been here now for one year and you know what I expect from a centre-half.

‘He can do it, I've told you many times before he has the abilities to do it, so now he has to show it. It is then about character, to be convinced to play that role. He has all the abilities to do it and it is up to him when the time is there."

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