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<\/p>\nHarry Maguire came close to leaving Manchester United in the summer but has performed well of late <\/p>\n
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Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay are ideal examples for Manchester United\u2019s players to follow if they want to earn their place in the starting lineup after the duo excelled in recent games, manager Erik ten Hag said on Friday.<\/p>\n
United were floundering at the start of the season but four wins in five games have steadied the ship for a beleaguered Ten Hag, who was named the Premier League\u2019s manager of the month for November when they had a 100% record.<\/p>\n
Defender Maguire had been heavily criticised and was on the verge of a club exit in the close season when he fell down the pecking order before he opted to stay and fight for his place.<\/p>\n
He eventually got back in due to injuries to Ten Hag\u2019s first-choice defenders and the England centre back helped United keep three clean sheets to win the player of the month gong.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a squad and there\u2019s internal competition. If you want to have a successful season you need more than 11 players. It will change throughout the season,\u201d Ten Hag told reporters ahead of Saturday\u2019s home game against Bournemouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cScott and Harry played themselves into the team. That\u2019s the dedication you expect from every player.\u201d<\/p>\n
McTominay is the club\u2019s top scorer with five league goals, outscoring all of United\u2019s forwards combined, and Ten Hag said he was not surprised by the Scotland international\u2019s eye for goal.<\/p>\n
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Scott McTominay has impressed after being linked with a move away from Old Trafford <\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the first moment I saw Scott, he has a very good smell to get in the box and he\u2019s a very good finisher,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not a surprise. When we get the balls there, he will finish.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the other hand, England forward Marcus Rashford has netted only twice in this campaign despite scoring 30 times for United in all competitions last season.<\/p>\n
Rashford was dropped from the starting lineup against Chelsea but Ten Hag is confident the 26-year-old will return to form soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cRashford is an incredibly good player. You can\u2019t do it with 11 players and he can\u2019t play every game. He\u2019s not in the form he was last year but I\u2019m sure he will get there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s up to the players (to get back into the team). The team will line themselves up and the best players who form the best team will play.\u201d<\/p>\n