Club Captain Harry Maguire’s Omission from Starting XI Suggests His Time at Old Trafford May Be Coming to an End
Manchester United are reportedly facing a potential £40m loss on Harry Maguire during the summer transfer window, which is a staggering sum of money for a club of their size and financial clout. The English center-back has been a regular feature in United’s squad since his record-breaking £80m move from Leicester City in 2019. However, recent developments suggest that his time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end.
Under the stewardship of Dutchman Erik ten Hag, United has undergone a significant transformation, both defensively and offensively. The coach’s ruthless decision-making, which notably involved omitting Cristiano Ronaldo from the starting lineup before his departure in December, has played a key role in the club’s recent success.
However, the most striking decision made by ten Hag is his continued omission of club captain Harry Maguire from the starting lineup in the Premier League. Despite Maguire’s strong performances for England during the 2018 World Cup, his status as captain has not been enough to secure his place in the team. Instead, ten Hag has favored the likes of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
Maguire has made just five Premier League starts so far this season, and although he was instrumental in helping United keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory over Leeds United, there is a sense that his selection was more to manage the game time of other players ahead of a busy schedule. According to the Daily Mail, an exit for Maguire during the summer transfer window looks to be the most likely outcome.
The report claims that both parties are amenable to a mutual parting of ways, with a fresh start potentially benefiting the player. From United’s perspective, they are said to be willing to take a substantial loss on a player that cost £80m just three years ago. The Red Devils will seemingly look to recoup around £40m, which may be easier said than done given Maguire’s age, as he turns 30 next month.
Although Aston Villa, West Ham United, and Inter Milan were all linked with loan bids for Maguire during the January window, it became apparent that Ten Hag had no intention of allowing his player to move elsewhere mid-season. However, with his continued omission from the starting lineup and the club’s willingness to take a significant loss on him, it seems that a summer exit is on the cards for Maguire.
Barcelona host Manchester United in a heavyweight clash in the Europa League this Thursday!!
