In the 7th round of the 2024-25 Premier League season, Manchester United played away against Aston Villa. Maguire suffered a thigh strain while defending set-pieces and was unable to insist on an early substitution.
The media widely believed that the first game against Villa would become a life-and-death battle for Ten Hag. However, in such a game, Ten Hag made a rather bold decision to keep De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Ugarte, Antony and Zirkze on the bench, adding up to a transfer fee of £346 million.
Harry Maguire and Evans both started for the first time in the Premier League for the first time since the Fulham game in November 2023. Ten Hag explained: 'We have to play a lot of games [for] rotation, so we have to play all the players. You'll look at your opponent and make a choice. The pressure is always there. ”
His decision was questioned, with legendary defender Carragher noting: "I wasn't surprised by Maguire's appearance, but I was very surprised, even a little shocked, by Evans. Neville joked that he and his brother would play at full-back.
Ten Hag's decision paid off, with Villa having just four shots on target and zero on target in the first half, while United had just two.
Not only that, but Harry Maguire almost converted a penalty for United on 23 minutes. He headed over the top of Brendan Rodgers' right hand, but the video assistant referee did not award a penalty.
Before half-time, Maguire injured his left leg while defending set-pieces and was sitting on the turf at one point. After the referee blew the whistle for the end of the first half, Maguire was helped off the pitch by the team doctor and De Ligt began to warm up.