Harry Maguire has been advised to leave Manchester United by manager Erik Ten Hag if he has the confidence to reclaim his position.
While the England international is expected to be eligible for selection in United’s opening Premier League match against Wolves on Monday night, West Ham United made a £30 million offer for Maguire last week.
“For Harry, he has to fight for his place,” Ten Hag said. “He has the ability to be a top-class center-back, he is the best for England so why shouldn’t he be the best for us?
“But he has to prove it. When he is not confident enough to go with that fight then he has to go, he has to make the decision. But I am happy with him.
“We don’t have a squad with 11 players. Last year proved definitely we need all the players, so you need high-level players who are maybe not starting but that can change, so there is an internal competition and everyone has to fight for his place.
“For many players that counts, when they are good they will get their games but no one can play all the games and finally, you find out what is the best team.
“In the squad now, all the positions are double and every player has the perspective to fight for his place. Then you have to show with your contribution it’s the best team performance. It is up to the players if they have the game time or less.”
