Harry Maguire could be heading to West Ham this summer (Picture: Getty)

Erik ten Hag has confessed that Manchester United star Harry Maguire ‘wants to play’ more regularly amid reported transfer interest from West Ham.

The Hammers are set to launch a fresh approach for Maguire at the end of the season as he enters the final year of his current contract at Old Trafford.

Maguire was strongly linked to West Ham last summer but a £30m move to the London Stadium fell through after the east London club had a bid accepted.

He does not appear to be in Ten Hag’s long-term plans after the Dutchman stripped him of the captaincy and has been repeatedly urged to find a new club.

Maguire has been a regular starter for United recently due to a defensive injury crisis but it is still thought he may be offloaded under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s rebuild.
Ten Hag was quizzed about West Ham’s interest in the England international in Friday’s press conference and said: ‘You have to see it in perspective.

‘We were always happy with Harry Maguire – but he wants to play. He’s a great leader, he’s a very good defender, very comfortable on the ball.

Erik ten Hag insists he is ‘very pleased’ with Harry Maguire (Picture: Getty)

‘When I count all of those abilities, just now when we are on our defending line we have our problems, he is even more important to lead that line, to make us play from the back.

‘So...