The United boss has issued a call to his side's skipper after his excellent World Cup cameo.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has challenged Harry Maguire to replicate his England form when he returns to the club. The 29-year-old center back was one of the standout performers for the Three Lions prior to their World Cup exit and has been charged to put in the same shift when club football resumes.

Ahead of the World Cup, Harry Maguire's inclusion to the England's squad raised a lot of eyebrows due to his poor form for the Red Devils. The former Leicester City defender has only started three three Premier League games for the Old Trafford outfit, and has seen his playing time slashed as Erik ten Hag favors a Raphael Varane-Lisandro Martinez centerback partnership.

However, in Qatar, Maguire was indispensable for England. Playing alongside John Stones in the heart of defence for Gareth Southgate's team, he was able to put in a series of top performances right from the group stage to the quarterfinal where his side was lost 2-1 to France on Saturday. With the dream of helping the Three Lions to the final over, the 29-year-old is set to return to Manchester United who are set to take on Burnley in the Carabao Cup next week.

The former Leicester City player will be eyeing a return to the starting lineup and has been advised by Erik ten Hag on what to do to earn a spot. Speaking to Manchester Evening News at United's mid-season tour of Dubai, the former Ajax boss stated that Maguire is good enough to be a regular in his side once again and has asked him to bring his international form back to the club.

"I've been asked many times if he is good enough to play for me and it is clear he is good enough to play at the highest level," Ten Hag said.

"He has, for England, almost all the time good games. Yes he had a period in Manchester where he performed badly and then of course there are difficulties.

"But when he is confident in himself, he will put that on the pitch. When he is working hard you will get that confidence and you are seeing that with the way he is playing for England.

"We want him to bring that back to Manchester with him so he can bring it on the pitch for Manchester United. I expect from him, the team knows what they expect from him. If he does that he will be a great player for us."

He added: "When I choose Rapha it is nothing against Harry. Sometimes it is because one player is a lot better than the other. But I think I have two or three good players there in the right centre-back position.

"After Brentford, I chose. I had a feeling I had to change there – I had to change the mentality. He was unlucky that moment was bad for him. But it doesn't say anything about his quality that he can't do it or my opinion about his quality. I'm sure he has the potential to play in our style and fit into our system.

"The only thing Harry has to do is train well, perform well, he has games he has rhythm and his chance will come. "He will have a chance to show it and then he's in and he will play."