Erik ten Hag urged to recall Manchester United outcast to starting XI for Bayern Munich clash

Pundit Andros Townsend has urged Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to recall Harry Maguire for Manchester United’s Champions League curtain-raiser against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

The England international has endured a tough start to the new season which began with him being stripped of the club captaincy.

Former Chelsea star Andy Townsend believes Maguire could be the player to help nullify the threat of his England teammate Kane.

Townsend told talkSPORT: “At the weekend United were all over the place at the back, were they not? I don’t think that Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof, they’re what I’d call a number two centre-half.

“I don’t think they are natural leaders, I think they need to be talked through, coaxed through matches. Is this the perfect match for Harry Maguire to come back into the United defence. He knows Harry Kane.

“He’ll have been up against him in training, he’s played against him here, there and everywhere. Could Harry Maguire come back in and resurrect himself. Is it that outrageous because Harry has been well documented?

“Don’t forget it’s easy to overlook what he’s done previously because he’s lacking in confidence and he hasn’t looked sharp.

“Every now and then you have a game where you stick someone in.”