The Manchester United player who will leave out Erik ten Hag against Liverpool

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has come under intense criticism over the past year for performances that saw the club record their lowest points tally in the Premier League last season with two defeats in a row. The former Leicester City player was backed by Erik Ten Hag, who decided to keep the England international as team captain.

Maguire was booed by his ManU fans during the club's pre-season and, then, there was a deterioration in confidence after defeats to Brighton and Brentford. That is why Ten Hag would consider taking the 29-year-old out of the firing line and out of the Liverpool game. The Manchester Evening News claimed that Ten Hag is debating recalling Raphael Varane to the starting XI to partner new signing Lisandro Martinez.

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Locker room sources claim United players feel Ten Hag's approach does not "suit their skill set" and that a more "pragmatic" approach is the preferred option as Jurgen Klopp's side prepare for their trip to Old Trafford. Maguire was named in both starting line-ups against Liverpool last season, part of a defensive unit that conceded nine goals in the two league games.

Erik Ten Hag's words

The Red Devils boss recently indicated that Maguire and Martinez would be his first-choice pairing at the back. "We bring him in not to strengthen the squad, but the team," Ten Hag said of Martinez. "Is Maguire a starter? I think so."

"He's proved that in the past, but he also has to prove that in the present and in the future. How many times has he played - 60 times for England? It's a really impressive career and I expect a lot from him. But there is also internal competition and that's what a club like Man United needs," he added.