Man Utd: Harry Maguire makes shock transfer decision as Erik ten Hag refuses to ‘push him out’
According to reports, Man Utd defender Harry Maguire would prefer to ‘fight’ for his place under Erik ten Hag rather than secure a move elsewhere.
The England international has been heavily criticised over the past couple of seasons. He kept his place in United’s starting eleven last term but he has slipped down the pecking order since Ten Hag joined the club.
Man Utd signed Lisandro Martinez from Ajax for £46m plus add-ons last summer and Ten Hag has preferred to play him alongside Raphael Varane.
Martinez and Varane are currently out injured so Maguire and Victor Lindelof have started in recent games but the club captain has failed to impress.
Maguire is under contract until 2025 but he will likely have to move on this summer if he wants to play regularly.
Last week, it was reported that AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus are all interested in signing him on loan. The defender has also been told by Stan Collymore that he would be wise to join Aston Villa.
Yet, a report from The Athletic claims ‘those close to the player’ feel Maguire wants to stay and ‘fight for his United future’.
‘Nobody can disguise that Maguire finds himself in a troubling predicament at Old Trafford. He has at least two years remaining on a highly remunerated contract and he remains the club’s captain.
‘Those close to the player — who, like many in this piece, wish to remain anonymous to protect relationships — insist Maguire, who turned 30 in March, wants to fight for his United future and regain a starting place.’
READ MORE: De Gea escapes as ‘hapless’ Maguire takes bullets for Man Utd’s ‘unstoppable juggernaut’
The report adds Maguire would ‘need to take a pay cut and be persuaded that his time at Old Trafford is over’ to get a deal over the line.
‘Yet United are also in a tight spot with financial fair play this summer and player sales will be required to bolster a kitty that Ten Hag needs if he wishes United to step up from being a cup team to being a force capable of competing for the Premier League.
‘Maguire is one of those players who may command a handy fee in the transfer market but he would, almost certainly, need to take a pay cut and be persuaded that his time at Old Trafford is over.
‘United, for their part, are not pushing him out of the club and he is behind players, such as the currently on-loan pair Eric Bailly and Alex Telles, in the pecking order of who the club wants to get off the wage bill this summer. Yet, with Euro 2024 to come next summer and United keen to reshape their squad, complicated discussions may lie ahead.’
READ MORE: Man Utd and Arsenal targets in most valuable Premier League XI outside Big Six (plus Newcastle)