Harry Maguire: The Man Utd captain has lost his place under Erik ten Hag (Image: Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says he still believes in Harry Maguire despite criticism of the English defender.

Ten Hag has preferred Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as his central defensive partnership, with playmaker Bruno Fernandes wearing the captain’s armband ahead of Maguire in recent weeks.

Maguire has made only three Premier League appearances this season.

“Even after he wasn’t in the team, he trained really well,” said Ten Hag of the 29-year-old.

“But more important, the quality was there. You see his career, almost 50 caps for England. He’s performed really well for Leicester and Manchester United. What you see is he has a high potential.”

Luke Shaw, a team-mate for both Manchester United and England, said to the BBC earlier this week that Maguire has been criticized “more than ever seen before in football.”

Maguire will miss Sunday’s meeting with cross-town rivals Manchester City at Etihad Stadium through injury.

However, striker Marcus Rashford, who picked up a muscle injury in United’s 3-1 league win over Arsenal on 2 September, is back in training along with Anthony Martial, who is returning from an Achilles tendon problem which has restricted him to one substitute appearance so far.

United head into the match on the back of four successive league wins and Ten Hag says he is relishing his first taste of the derby.

“It excites me,” he said. “We want to be involved in these games because there is such a good vibe, it gives so much energy. We will do everything to win the game.”

Ten Hag was part of City manager Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff during the Spaniard’s time in charge of Bayern Munich. Guardiola suggested in April, before the Dutchman joined United from Ajax, that Ten Hag could succeed him at the club.

“It’s a nice compliment,” said Ten Hag. “But I’m 100% convinced I choose Manchester United with everything in it and I didn’t regret it for one second.”