Erik ten Hag has been accused of making up a “total fabrication” about Manchester United defender Harry Maguire following the conclusion of the World Cup.
Maguire finds himself in a difficult position at Man Utd as he has fallen down the pecking order this season.
Ten Hag has preferred to use Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane this season and they have performed well for United.
The Englishman has also been out of action with a hamstring injury but he returned to full fitness in time for the World Cup.
Maguire rarely lets Gareth Southgate down and he was one of England’s better players in Qatar as they reached the quarter-finals.
The defender is now back at United. He was not involved in the Carabao Cup against Burnley last week but he came off the bench late on against Nottm Forest on Tuesday.
Speaking before United’s win over Burnley, Ten Hag suggested that Maguire missed the game as he was “ill”.
“[Diogo] Dalot had some complaints, he felt them during his last game with Portugal and Harry [Maguire] unfortunately is ill.”
Ex-United player Paul Parker does not believe Ten Hag, though. He has accused the head coach of “lying” as he simply “preferred” to play Luke Shaw at centre-back over Maguire against Forest.
“First of all, we have to say that Luke Shaw did very well playing as a centre half. He barely made a mistake and Man United didn’t really miss Harry Maguire,” Parker told BonusCodeBets.
“But to be honest, I don’t believe the story about Harry Maguire being ill. It was a lie and it is totally fabricated. It doesn’t make any sense at all.
“On a cold rainy night in Manchester, there is no way you would ever let an ill man sit on the bench if he wasn’t ready. He was ready but Erik ten Hag preferred to play with Luke Shaw.”
Man Utd eased to three points over Forest by winning 3-0 at Old Trafford. Casemiro was arguably their standout player in that victory and Parker thinks the Brazilian must start every game.
“Casemiro was Man United’s best player against Nottingham Forest by a country mile,” Parker added.
“Since he started to play regularly for Man United he has been an absolutely key player for this team and he is one of the best in the world in his position.
“His interceptions, his challenges and his passes are excellent. I’m pretty sure that Erik ten Hag now knows that if Man United want to have a successful season, Casemiro has to play all the key games.”
Jesse Lingard returned to Old Trafford with his Forest side after the midfielder accused United of making “false promises” prior to his exit in the summer.
Parker thinks Lingard was “totally wrong” to suggest that he was mistreated by United.
“Jesse Lingard wasn’t disrespected at all at Man United, and for him to say that is totally wrong.
“He is a local boy, and now he is disrespecting the club instead of looking at himself in the mirror.
“Jesse wasn’t good enough to play for Man United, and he needs to acknowledge that instead of coming up with accusations about the club.”
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