Ten Hag & Maguire win November Premier League awards
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and defender Harry Maguire have won November’s Premier League manager and player of the month awards.
United lost four of their first seven league matches this season but have since climbed to sixth in the table.
They won November’s three league matches – against Fulham, Luton and Everton – without conceding.
Maguire, who struggled for game time at the start of the season, played every minute in the three victories.
The 30-year-old becomes the first United defender to win the award since Nemanja Vidic in January 2009.
“Couldn’t have done it without my teammates, the staff and you fans. Your love and support don’t go unnoticed, I appreciate it,” Maguire said on X after winning the award.
Maguire was stripped of the United captaincy by Ten Hag in July and looked set for a move away from Old Trafford before the start of the season.
However, he turned down an offer from West Ham to stay at United, even though the club accepted a £30m bid for the England centre-back.
He topped a six-player shortlist that also included Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski, Raheem Sterling of Chelsea and Bournemouth winger Marcus Tavernier.
United ended October eighth in the Premier League after a 3-0 derby defeat by Manchester City, but Ten Hag, who claims a third Premier League manager of the Month award, has guided his side to sixth – nine points behind leaders Arsenal.
‘It’s up to Rashford’
Ten Hag has said it is up to Marcus Rashford to force his way back into United’s starting line-up after he was dropped to the bench for Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Chelsea.
Rashford, 26, was criticised for his performance in the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle on Saturday, with former Magpies striker Alan Shearer saying he “didn’t look interested”.
The England forward scored 17 league goals for the Red Devils last season, but has netted just two in the 2023-24 campaign so far.
“Rashford is an incredible, good player,” Ten Hag said on Friday.
“You can’t do it with 11 players, he can’t play every game, he’s not in this moment in the form he was last year but I am sure he will get there.
“It is up to them [to get back into the side]. The team will always line themselves up and the best players who form the best team will play.”
United’s top scorer this season is midfielder Scott McTominay, who scored both goals in the victory against Chelsea.
Ten Hag said McTominay and Maguire’s recent contributions to the team is what he expects from every player.
“I think we have a squad and in the squad there is internal competition. If you want a successful season you need more than 11 players,” the Dutchman said.
“They are here, they are great players and have played into the team. That’s what you expect from every player, there has to be dedication to aim for this.”
United host an in-form Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Saturday (15:00 GMT).