After excelling in recent games, Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay are perfect models for Manchester United’s players to emulate if they want to earn a starting spot, according to manager Erik ten Hag on Friday.

United were struggling at the start of the season, but four wins in five games have helped Ten Hag, who was crowned Premier League manager of the month in November when they had a perfect record.

Defender Maguire had been heavily chastised and was on the verge of leaving the club in the off-season after falling down the pecking order before deciding to stay and fight for his place.

Due to injuries to Ten Hag’s first-choice defenders, he ultimately returned, and the England centre back helped United keep three clean sheets to win the player of the month award.

“We have a squad, and there is competition within the squad.” More than 11 players are required for a successful season. Ten Hag told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home game against Bournemouth, “It will change throughout the season.”

“Scott and Harry worked their way into the team. That’s the level of commitment you demand from every player.”

McTominay is the club’s leading scorer, with five league goals, outscoring all United’s strikers combined, and Ten Hag stated the Scotland international’s eye for goal did not surprise him.

“From the first moment I saw Scott, he has a very good smell to get in the box and he’s a very good finisher,” he added.

“It’s not surprising. He’ll finish once we get the balls there.”

England attacker Marcus Rashford, on the other hand, has only scored twice this season despite scoring 30 goals in all competitions for Manchester United last season.

Rashford was benched against Chelsea, but Ten Hag is hopeful the 26-year-old will return to form shortly.

“Rashford is a fantastic player.” It’s impossible with 11 players, and he can’t play every game. “He’s not in the shape he was last year, but I’m confident he’ll get there,” he remarked.

“It’s up to the players (to re-enter the team).” The squad will line up, and the top players from the best team will play.”