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Man Utd boss Ten Hag backs Maguire and Weghorst to keep improving

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Harry Maguire and Wout Weghorst continue to impress Erik ten Hag, with the Manchester United manager praising the duo for their performances against West Ham.

The duo started Wednesday's FA Cup fifth round victory at Old Trafford, playing their part in a 3-1 comeback just days after lifting the EFL Cup against Newcastle United.

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Club captain Maguire, who only featured for the final few minutes at Wembley, has been down the pecking order behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez under Ten Hag.

But the centre-back delivered an authoritative display that pleased the Dutch coach at Old Trafford, with Ten Hag happy to see him adapt to a right-sided role instead of his usual left.

"My way of playing, it is better," he said. "I prefer to have players with a lot of intensity [and] he had a good performance. He took the initiative in and out of possession.

"He was demanding the ball [and] he had some really good moments.I showed him a video [of his performances and of other players] on how to outplay opponents.

"[He must discover] how to have more of an impact. His skills are really high. For a centre-back, he has so many skills, and he has to use that."

Weghorst, who did start at Wembley and provided an assist for Marcus Rashford on Sunday, has come under fire for his own lack of goals since his arrival on loan from Burnley.

But the striker's work off the ball continues to please Ten Hag, having had a hand in all three of United's goals on Wednesday, including Nayef Aguerd's own goal and Alejandro Garnacho and Fred's late efforts.

"He was one of the best players on the pitch," he added. "He was involved and forced the own goal from the opponent. [With] Garnacho's goal, he was pressing. With the third goal, he [made] a good press and Fred scores.

"He is doing a very good job for the team. At the start of the season, Marcus Rashford didn't score every game, but I know that [the goals] will come for him. When he has the first goal, more will come."

Fixture

competition-logo
English FA Cup
Saturday, 06 Dec
Round 2
11:00 PM
Chelmsford City-team-logo Chelmsford City
Weston Super Mare-team-logo Weston Super Mare
11:00 PM
Fleetwood Town-team-logo Fleetwood Town
Luton Town-team-logo Luton Town
11:00 PM
Wigan Athletic-team-logo Wigan Athletic
Barrow-team-logo Barrow
11:00 PM
Swindon Town-team-logo Swindon Town
Bolton Wanderers-team-logo Bolton Wanderers
11:00 PM
Cheltenham Town-team-logo Cheltenham Town
Buxton FC-team-logo Buxton FC
11:00 PM
Peterborough United-team-logo Peterborough United
Barnsley-team-logo Barnsley
11:00 PM
Stockport County-team-logo Stockport County
Cambridge United-team-logo Cambridge United
11:00 PM
Port Vale-team-logo Port Vale
Bristol Rovers-team-logo Bristol Rovers
11:00 PM
Accrington Stanley-team-logo Accrington Stanley
Mansfield Town-team-logo Mansfield Town
11:00 PM
Grimsby Town-team-logo Grimsby Town
Wealdstone FC-team-logo Wealdstone FC
11:00 PM
Exeter City-team-logo Exeter City
Wycombe Wanderers-team-logo Wycombe Wanderers
11:00 PM
Milton Keynes Dons-team-logo Milton Keynes Dons
Oldham Athletic-team-logo Oldham Athletic

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