From the most expensive defender in the world to a super bargain?
Manchester United wants to part ways with defender Harry Maguire by summer at the latest. The Guardian reports.
That’s not surprising. Under the new coach Erik ten Hag, who came from Amsterdam in the summer, Maguire has lost his regular place in central defence. His record: four missions, three of them over 90 minutes.
After the catastrophic start with two embarrassing bankruptcies against Brighton (1: 2) and Brentford (0: 4), he was thrown out of the starting eleven and was also injured in the meantime. It wasn’t until the end of October that he was back on the pitch against West Ham United (1-0). In the central defender hierarchy, Maguire is only fourth behind Viktor Lindelöf.
Review: In the summer of 2019 he moved from Leicester City to ManUnited for €87m. Since then, his performance and market value – which has now reached 30 million – has been consistently downhill.
Despite no longer being a regular, Harry Maguire is still captain of Man United
Foto: Getty Images
After all, it is still enough for a place in England’s World Cup squad. He could get back into shape there if national coach Gareth Southgate (52) continues to rely on his defense chief.
The biggest problem: If Maguire does not want to leave, he will stay with Manchester until 2026. That’s how long his contract runs. And until then he earns almost 200,000 euros a week.
Man United coach ten Hag never tires of praising Maguire’s professional attitude. But that’s not enough to get past the seeded Raphael Varane (29) and Lisandro Martinez (24). Because Maguire is too slow for ten Hag.
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He therefore wants to sell Maguire and get a real competitor for Varane and Martinez.
For this purpose, the conversion work on the United squad should be pushed further. The search is also on for a replacement for Fred, whose contract expires at the end of the season and is not to be extended. Another fat minus deal for the “Red Devils”. Finally, in 2018, 59 million euros were transferred to Shakhtar Donetsk for the Brazilian.
Ten Hag would also like to see a new right-back in the squad. Hope Wan-Bissaka disappointed so far, hardly plays a role under the Dutchman. It remains to be seen how Donny van de Beek will develop in the second half of the season.
And then there is the chapter Cristiano Ronaldo (37). The footballer of the century will only finish the season at Old Trafford. Then he will leave the club again, probably sooner. You will still need a replacement for the storm oldie.
