Erik ten Hag believes Harry Maguire should leave Manchester United if he lacks the confidence to compete for a first-team berth.
The United manager is certain that Maguire can play a vital role in his plans.
However, after Ten Hag deposed the 30-year-old as captain, United accepted a £30 million bid from West Ham for him.
“He has the ability to be a top-class centre-back,” said Ten Hag.
“He is the best for England so why shouldn’t he be the best for us?
“But he has to prove it. When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to go, then he has to make a decision. But I’m happy with him.”
Ten Hag’s team selections have suggested Maguire is behind Victor Lindelof as back up to first-choice pair Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, with Luke Shaw also playing in central defence last term.
Ten Hag says he is happy with the club’s business so far but he notes the huge sums being spent elsewhere, with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo set to join either Chelsea or Liverpool for a British record fee in excess of £110m.
“One year ago we did a benchmark and there were only five players above £60m,” he said.
“Now you see all over many clubs investing high rates in their squads. The competition is very tough in the Premier League but we are happy with the squad we constructed.”
Ten Hag confirmed striker Anthony Martial would be fit for the Wolves encounter after missing all United’s pre-season games with a hamstring injury.
